Patent Publication Number: US-10787764-B1

Title: Clothing ejection net for a washer or dryer and method of ejecting clothing from a washer or dryer

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a clothing ejection net for a washer and/or dryer and method of ejecting clothing from a washer or dryer, and, more particularly, relates to a net body that is operable to manually reconfigure between a retracted net configuration magnetically attached to the interior surface of a metal drum of a washer and/or dryer that receives clothing during washing and drying operations, and an extended net configuration that ejects the clothing from the metal drum. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, a washer and dryer are operable to wash and dry soiled and wet clothing, respectively. The washing machine comprises a deep, metal drum for receiving clothing to be treated, which is rotatably mounted within a tub. A water circuit including pumping means is provided for allowing washing water to be supplied to and drained from said tub. A soap insertion gate provides an inlet for introducing soap or drying products into the machine. The drying machine provides a metal drum that rotates and generates hot air during a normal drying cycle. The drum rotates as hot air traverses through the drum. The rotation of the drum causes the articles to continuously circulate through the drum which exposes more surface area to expedite drying. 
     Generally, the washing or drying machine drum that holds the clothing for washing or drying is deep and requires a user to bend down and reach in to deposit or retrieve the clothing. For both a top-loaded machine and a side-loaded machine, the clothing can be difficult to access for the elderly, or for users with back problems. Further, the clothing can stick to the sidewalls of the drum due to wetness or static electricity, making retrieval difficult. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a clothing ejection net for a washer or dryer and method of ejecting clothing from a washer or dryer that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and a net body that manually reconfigures between a retracted net configuration and an extended net configuration in relation to the interior of a metal drum of a washer or dryer. A plurality of magnets on the sidewall of the net body magnetically attach the net body to the interior surface of the metal drum during washing and drying operations. A pull cord at the front face of the net body can be used to pull the net body out of the metal drum, to an extended net configuration. When pulled in such a manner, magnets on the inner surface of the net body sidewalls separate from magnets on the outside surface of the net body, creating a discrete snap separation to the extended net configuration. The extension of the net body in such a manner ejects the clothing from the clothing retention cavity of the net body. This easy-pull ejection facilitates removal of clothing from the metal drum of the washer or dryer. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a clothing ejection net for a washer or dryer, comprising a net body that is detachably attachable to the interior surface of a washer metal drum and/or a dryer metal drum. The net body has a mesh net sidewall that is selectively configurable between an extended net configuration and a retracted net configuration from the interior surface of a metal drum in the washer or dryer. Both configurations of the net body are defined by a clothing retention cavity for receiving, retaining, and ejecting clothing directly from the net body. 
     The extended net configuration of the net body is disposed along a net translation path with the mesh net sidewall of a fabric material and is defined by a rear end, and a front end opposing the rear end of the mesh net sidewall. The mesh net sidewall is also defined by a front wall with a front wall surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface. 
     In some embodiments, the net body further includes a plurality of sidewall magnets that couple to the mesh net sidewall, and are disposed in a longitudinal orientation with respect to one another. The sidewall magnets are configured to detachably attach to the interior surface of the metal drum. 
     The retracted net configuration is disposed along the net translation path with the mesh net sidewall in a folded configuration having the plurality of magnets coupled to the mesh net sidewall. The sidewall magnets are each magnetically coupled to each other in an overlapping configuration and disposed in the longitudinal orientation to define, with a portion of the outer surface of the mesh net sidewall a clothing retention cavity. 
     In accordance with another feature, the retracted net configuration further comprises the front end of the mesh net sidewall disposed proximal to the rear end of the mesh net sidewall. 
     In accordance with another feature, each of the plurality of sidewall magnets further comprise a front surface and a rear surface opposing the front surface of the magnet, wherein the retracted net configuration includes the front surface of each of the plurality of sidewall magnets directly coupled together. 
     In accordance with another feature the plurality of sidewall magnets are formed in the shape of strips. 
     In accordance with another feature the folded configuration and the extended net configuration having the plurality of sidewall magnets disposed in a parallel configuration with respect to one another. 
     In accordance with another feature the mesh net sidewall further comprises at least one annular shaped magnet coupled thereto and disposed proximal to the rear end of the mesh net sidewall. 
     In accordance with another feature the plurality of magnets are circumferentially disposed around the mesh net sidewall in an equally and uniformly spaced configuration. 
     In accordance with another feature the front wall further comprises a plurality of front wall magnets coupled thereto. Each front wall magnet is disposed in a substantially perpendicular configuration and orientation with respect to the at least one of the plurality of magnets coupled to the mesh net sidewall. 
     In accordance with another feature, the net further comprises a pull cord with a first end directly coupled to the front wall of the net body and distal free end. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the mesh net sidewall further comprises a folding plane defined thereon and bisecting the mesh net sidewall into a drum coupling portion and a retracted portion, wherein the plurality of magnets disposed on the drum coupling portion are of a stronger magnetic field than the plurality of magnets disposed on the retracted portion. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the folding plane is defined by an approximate median of a longitudinal length of the mesh net sidewall defined by the rear and front ends thereon when in the extended net configuration. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a Clothing Ejection Net for a Washer or Dryer and Method of Ejecting Clothing from a Washer or Dryer, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the net spanning from a rear end to a front end of the net body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary clothing ejection net configured into an extended net configuration, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary clothing ejection net configured into an extended net configuration, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the clothing ejection net configured into a retracted net configuration, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a blow-up view of the clothing ejection net, showing the magnets, magnet covers, and pull cord, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the clothing ejection net, showing the clothing retention cavity, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevated side view of the clothing ejection net, showing the inner surface of the mesh net sidewall, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevated side view of the clothing ejection net, showing the pull cord, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the clothing ejection net in relation to a metal drum for a dryer, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for ejecting clothing with a clothing ejection net from a washer or dryer, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient clothing ejection net  100  for a washer or dryer and method  800  of ejecting clothing from a washer or dryer. Embodiments of the invention provide a net body that is selectively configurable between an extended net configuration and a retracted net configuration from the interior surface of a metal drum in the washer or dryer. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a plurality of magnets that detachably attach the net sidewalls to the interior surface of the metal drum. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in an isometric view.  FIG. 1 , along with other figures depicted herein, shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a clothing ejection net  100  for a washer or dryer, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  FIG. 7 , includes a net body  102  that includes a mesh net sidewall  104 . The net body  102  defines a clothing retention cavity  200  that receives and retains clothing. The net body  102  is configured to magnetically fasten to an interior surface  704  inside a metal drum  702  of a washer or dryer  700  during washing and/or drying operations. The net body  102  is also configured to partially extend outside the metal drum  702 , so as to selectively eject the clothing from the clothing retention cavity  200 . 
     Looking again at  FIG. 1 , the net body  102  is defined by a generally cylindrical shape that is sized and dimension to pas through a passageway in the metal drum  702  for retention therein. The cylindrical shape of the net body  102  also provides a large surface area that allows water and/or hot air to engage the clothing disposed inside the retention cavity  200 . The mesh net sidewall  104  may include connected strands of fiber, cotton, polyester, rubber, metal, ductile materials, flexible polymers, and combinations thereof, including elastic cloth fibers. 
     In some embodiments, the mesh net sidewall  104  is constructed from a fabric material and is defined by a rear end  106 , a front end  108  opposing the rear end  106  of the mesh net sidewall  104 , a front wall  110  with a front wall surface  112 , an outer surface  114 , and an inner surface  500  opposing the outer surface  114 . The front end  108  forms a cap to the longitudinal of the mesh net sidewall  104 , preventing the clothing  706  from premature removal from the clothing retention cavity  200 . The rear end  106  is open and faces opposite the front end  108 . In one alternative embodiment, the front wall  110  forms an aperture sized to receive a central axle of a washer metal drum. In this manner, the net body  102  can be fitted into the metal drum while in a retracted net configuration  202  and may also include one or more magnets defined around the aperture sized to receive the central axle. 
     One of the unique features of the net body  102  is the capacity to operably and selectively reconfigure between an extended net configuration  138  ( FIG. 1 ), and a retracted net configuration  202  ( FIG. 2 ) along a net translation path  118 , i.e. folded-axial reconfiguration. The net translation path  118  follows an axial reconfiguration of the mesh net sidewall  104  about a folding plane  130 . In one embodiment, the folding plane  130  is defined by an approximate median of a longitudinal length of the mesh net sidewall  104  defined by the rear and front ends  106 ,  108  thereon when in the extended net configuration  138 . The folding plane  130  may bisect the mesh net sidewall  104  into a drum coupling portion  134  and a retracted portion  136 . The drum coupling portion  134  is the portion of the net body  102  that magnetically attaches to the interior surface of the metal drum  702 , remaining attached therein. The retracted portion  136  is the portion of the net body  102  that is pulled out of the metal drum, to eject the clothing  706  from the clothing retention cavity  200 . 
     And thus, the clothing ejection net  100  is unique in utilizing magnetic forces to securely retain the net body  102  in the metal drum  702  of the washer or dryer  700  during washing and drying operations, and during ejection of the clothing  706 . The used of magnets is efficient and conducive to the metallic fabrication of substantially all washers and dryers known in the art. Furthermore, magnetic attachability or coupling requires no tools or special skill set, making operational use of the clothing ejection net user-friendly and cost effective. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the clothing ejection net  100  comprises a plurality of sidewall magnets  116   a - n  that couple to the mesh net sidewall  104 . The sidewall magnets  116   a - n  are disposed in a longitudinal orientation with respect to one another, extending from the front wall  110  to the rear end  106  of the sidewall  104 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  formed in the shape of strips that are bendable along the longitudinal. The sidewall magnets  116   a - n  are circumferentially disposed around the mesh net sidewall  104  in an equally and uniformly spaced configuration. Each sidewall magnet comprises a front surface  300 , and a rear surface  302  that opposes the front surface  300  of the sidewall magnet. Furthermore, the relationship of the retracted net configuration  202  and the extended net configuration  138  are such that the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  are disposed in a parallel configuration with respect to one another in the retracted net configuration  202 . 
     In the retracted net configuration  202  shown in  FIG. 4 , the front end  108  of the mesh net sidewall  104  is disposed proximal to the rear end  106  of the mesh net sidewall  104 . In one embodiment, there may be an approximate 1″-2″ distance between the rear and front ends  106 ,  108  ( FIG. 5 ) when in the retracted net configuration  202 . Also, in the retracted net configuration  202 , the front surface  300  of each of the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  directly couple together in an overlapping configuration. The sidewall magnets  116   a - n  are disposed in the longitudinal orientation to define, with a portion of the outer surface of the mesh net sidewall  104 , the clothing retention cavity  200 . 
     In the extended net configuration  138 , the section of the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  at the drum coupling portion remain magnetically attached to the interior surface of the metal drum, and the section of the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  at the retracted portion  136  are pulled away to extend outside the metal drum for ejecting the clothing. The front wall  110  is pulled out, separating from the rear end  106 , to form the extended net configuration  138 . 
     In some embodiments, the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  on the drum coupling portion  134  of the net body  102  are of a stronger magnetic field than the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  on the retracted portion of the net body  102 . By way of example, the plurality of sidewall magnets  116   a - n , which are preferably permanent magnets, that are disposed on the drum coupling portion may be approximately 0.15-0.25 Tesla; while the plurality of sidewall magnets  116   a - n  that are disposed on the retracted portion may be approximately 0.5-0.2 Tesla. 
     This stronger magnetic force at the drum coupling portion  134  allows the net body  102  to securely attach to the interior surface of the metal drum  702  while in the retracted net configuration  202 . Thus, as the metal drum  702  rotates, agitates, and vibrates, the relatively stronger magnetic forces along the rear end  106  of the mesh net sidewall  104 , retain the net body  102  in place. The stronger magnets at the drum coupling portion  134  also works to support the weight of the clothing  706  that are drawn by centrifugal forces in the metal drum  702  to the rear end  106  of the mesh net sidewall  104 . 
     Conversely, the lesser magnetic strength of the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  at the retracted portion  136  of the mesh net sidewall  104 , facilitates the act of pulling out the front wall  110  (with the pull cord  124 ) to the extended net configuration  138 . And looking again at  FIG. 3 , a sidewall magnet cover  306  may also be used to encapsulate the sidewall magnets. The sidewall magnet cover  306  forms an insulative layer that helps prevent the sidewall magnets  116   a ,  116   n  from burning the user during operation of the net body  102 . 
     Additional magnets used in the present invention include a plurality of front wall magnets  122   a - n  that couple to the front wall  110 . Each front wall magnet  122   a - n  is disposed in a substantially perpendicular configuration and orientation with respect to the sidewall magnets  116   a - n  coupled to the mesh net sidewall  104 . Additionally, at least one annular shaped magnet  120  couples to the mesh net sidewall  104 . The annular shaped magnet  120  is disposed proximal to the rear end  106  of the mesh net sidewall  104 . Thus, in the retracted net configuration  202 , the front wall magnet  122   a - n  forms a magnetic attraction to the annular shaped magnet  120 . The magnetic attraction between the rear and front ends  106 ,  108  of the mesh net sidewall  104  is broken by pulling on a pull cord  124  that attaches to the front wall  110  of the mesh net sidewall  104 . Pulling on the front wall  110  in this manner forms the extended net configuration  138  described above. 
     As  FIG. 6  shows, the pull cord  124  is defined by a first end  126  directly coupled to the front wall  110  of the net body  102 , and an opposing distal free end  132 . However, in other embodiments, the first end  126  of the pull cord  124  attaches to the mesh net sidewall  104 . The distal free end  132  is pulled outwardly, away from the front end  108  of the mesh net sidewall  104  to extend the front end to the extended net position  138 . The pull cord  124  may include a resilient cable, line, or other flexible material that does not interfere significantly with the washing or drying operation. Nor does the pull string add significant weight to the net body  102 . 
     In another embodiment, a cord magnet  128  couples to the distal free end of the pull cord  124 . The cord magnet  128  attaches to the interior surface  704  of the metal drum  702  when the net body  102  is fully inserted into the washer or dryer  700 . The magnetic attraction between the cord magnet  128  and the interior surface  704  of the metal drum  702  prevents the free distal end from clanking against the metal drum  702 , or tangling with the mesh net sidewall  104 . In some embodiments, the cord magnet  128  may be encapsulated by an insulative magnet cover  304  that protects against burning the hand when operating the pull cord  124 . 
       FIG. 8  will be described in conjunction with the process flow chart. Although  FIG. 8  shows a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted in  FIG. 8  for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included in  FIG. 8  can be combined into a single process. An exemplary method  800  for ejecting clothing with a clothing ejection net from a washer or dryer, may include an initial Step  802  of orienting a net body towards a metal drum of a washer or dryer, the net body having a mesh net sidewall defined by a rear end and a front end opposing the rear end of the mesh net sidewall, and a plurality of sidewall magnets coupled to the mesh net sidewall and disposed in a longitudinal orientation with respect to one another. 
     The method  800  may further comprise a Step  804  of configuring the net body to a retracted net configuration along a net translation path with the mesh net sidewall in a folded configuration, the retracted net configuration defined by a clothing retention cavity. The retracted net configuration  202  fits completely into the metal drum  702  while retaining clothing  706 . A Step  806  includes inserting clothing into the clothing retention cavity. The clothing may include soiled clothing that requires washing in a washer; or a wet clothing that requires drying in a dryer. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a Step  808  comprises positioning the net body into the metal drum of the washer or dryer, such that the front wall and a pull cord attached to the front wall orient outwardly from the metal drum. A Step  810  includes magnetically attaching the sidewall magnets that are coupled to the mesh net sidewall to an interior surface of the metal drum. In some embodiments, a Step  812  may include operating the washer or dryer. The net body  102  fits completely in the metal drum  702  during washing or drying operations. 
     The method  800  may further comprise a Step  814  of configuring the net body to an extended net configuration along the net translation path by pulling a pull cord attached to the front face of the mesh net sidewall. The distal free end  132  is pulled outwardly, away from the front end  108  of the mesh net sidewall  104  to extend the front end to the extended net position  138 . A final Step  816  includes ejecting the clothing from the clothing retention cavity in response to the extended net configuration. The force from pulling the pull cord  124  ejects the clothing  706  without requiring reaching into the metal drum  702 . 
     Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.