Patent Abstract:
A disposable filter media removably attachable to a conventional lint trap utilized in automatic clothes dryers is provided. The disposable filter media is in the form of a flexible, lightweight meshed liner adapted for snug, releasable attachment atop the lint collecting surface of a lint trap. The liner functions to provide optimum lint capturing efficiency without an inordinate drop in the air volume in a clothes dryer and is easily removed and disposed of after use.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to filters and, more particularly, to a disposable liner adapted for removable attachment to a conventional lint trap. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Lint traps in domestic and commercial clothes dryers are well known. These devices, particularly utilized in automatic clothes dryers, include lint filtering screens which are positioned in the air flow path downstream of a dryer drum in order that moisture-laden lint entrained in the air stream is filtered therefrom prior to the exhaustion of the air from the dryer apparatus. 
   Clothes dryer manufacturers generally recommend that lint screens be cleaned preferably after each dryer load, thus requiring lint-laden screens to be laboriously cleaned and frequently replaced. Cleaning necessitates the manual removal of lint from the lint screen which invariably requires numerous attempts due to lint fragmentation and fall-off. However, cleaning of the lint screen is often neglected, thus generating an excessive accumulation of lint on the lint screen. In any event, excessive lint accumulation can impede the normal operation of the clothes dryer. Excessive lint accumulation can further cause lint to rub on the exhaust chute during removal of the screen and fall therefrom into the dryer drum atop a freshly laundered load. Moreover, lint accumulation can cause lint particles to scatter or disperse into the surrounding environment thus inducing respiratory problems and fire hazard. 
   Accordingly, a need has arisen for a disposable filter media being removably attachable to a conventional lint trap which allows lint to be removed monolithically therefrom in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the lint trap liner fulfills this need. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,200, issued in the name of Werner discloses a lint screen shield assembly attached to a removable dryer lint screen. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,047 B1, issued in the name of Schaefer discloses a vacuum cleaner device for cleaning lint from lint traps of clothes dryers. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,925, issued in the name of Czech et al. discloses a lint filter housing for a dryer. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,478, issued in the name of Lewis et al. discloses a lint trap unit which emphasizes drastically reduced air flow within the cabinet of the dryer unit preceding an incorporated filter tray, when employed, so as to allow for an effectual precipitation on entrained moisture, lint, and other particles to the bottom of the container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,170, issued in the name of Hauch et al. discloses a lint collecting device particularly suited for use in conventional domestic clothes dryers. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,381, issued in the name of Fox discloses a lint trap located on the door of a clothes dryer. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,485, issued in the name of Genessi discloses a lint interceptor for separating lint from a stream of air emanating from a clothes dryer. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,262 B2, issued in the name of Goldberg et al. discloses a drying apparatus comprising a chamber for containing articles to be dried, means for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to the chamber, which air supplying means comprises an air flow pathway having means for removing moisture from air exiting the chamber and for decreasing the temperature of the air to below dew point temperature and means for increasing the temperature of the air exiting the moisture removing means to the first temperature, and a heat pump system. 
   Consequently, a need has been felt for a disposable filter media adapted for removable attachment to a conventional lint trap which allows lint to be removed unitarily therefrom in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable filter media adapted for removable attachment to a conventional lint trap used in automatic clothes dryers. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable filter media in the form of a flexible, lightweight liner comprised of a meshed membrane adapted for snug, contiguous placement atop the lint collecting surface of a screen web of a lint trap. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a meshed membrane constructed of a material having a mesh size adapted to facilitate optimum lint capturing efficiency without an inordinate drop in the air volume in a clothes dryer. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an integral attachment means adapted to facilitate removable attachment of lint trap liner to lint trap. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of linearly aligned lint trap liners which are formed, manufactured, packaged, and provided in a rolled form for ease of dispensing and use. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a lint trap liner is disclosed. The lint trap liner is adapted for removable attachment to a conventional lint trap utilized for filtering lint in automatic clothes dryers. The lint trap liner is adapted for disposable use and forms a generally rectangular configuration having an upper surface or lint contacting surface and a lower surface. The lint trap liner is adapted to capture moist lint from a stream of air exhausted from the air outlets through the exhaust chute of a clothes dryer as lint passes therethrough. 
   The lint trap liner comprises an elongated, flexible, tenuous meshed membrane adapted for snug, contiguous placement atop the lint collecting surface of a screen web of a lint trap. The meshed membrane is constructed of a material having a porosity or mesh size adapted to facilitate optimum lint capturing efficiency without an inordinate drop in the air volume in the clothes dryer. 
   An attachment means is provided in order to facilitate removable attachment of lint trap liner to lint trap. The attachment means, according to a first embodiment, comprises a plurality of tabs protruding integrally from a continuous peripheral edge of the meshed membrane. The tabs are bent in a manner so as to fixedly engage the underside of corresponding frame peripheral edge portions, thereby removably attaching liner to the lint collecting surface of screen web in a snug-fit manner. 
   The attachment means, according to a second embodiment, comprises a plurality of adhesive strips bonded about horizontal and vertical edges of the lint trap liner. Each adhesive strip of the plurality of adhesive strips comprises an adhesive coating bonded to the lower surface of the lint trap liner about a first horizontal edge, a second horizontal edge, a first vertical edge, and a second vertical edge of thereof. The adhesive coating is protected by a releasable liner. The adhesive strips are adapted to releasably hold the liner securely to the front side of the frame of the lint trap. 
   The attachment means, according to a third embodiment, comprises at least one catch assembly, wherein catch assembly comprises a pair of opposing L-shaped legs molded integral to the lower surface of lint trap liner about the horizontal sidewalls thereof. The L-shaped legs are adapted to snap into engagement with corresponding rectangular projections formed integral to the lint trap frame by a resilient, snap-fit action, thereby removably securing lint trap liner to lint trap. 
   It is envisioned that a plurality of linearly aligned lint trap liners are formed, manufactured, packaged, and provided in a rolled form for ease of dispensing and use. The lint trap liner is manufactured as a length of a plurality of lint trap liners which are perforated at regular intervals, along perforations. An individual lint trap liner is easily separated from the roll along a perforation, in a manner similar to separating a paper towel from a paper towel roll. 
   The use of the present invention allows lint to be peelably removed unitarily from a conventional lint trap in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The use of the present invention also eliminates messy cleanup of airborne lint fibers and reduces fire risk. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a clothes dryer; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a clothes dryer partially cut away to illustrate the interior components thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary view showing a lint trap being removed from the clothes dryer of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top side view of a conventional lint trap; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom side view of a conventional lint trap; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a conventional lint trap; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lint trap liner, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the lint trap liner illustrating adhesive bonded to the lower surface thereof, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the lint trap liner illustrating the concave protrusions thereof; 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a lint trap liner, according to a first alternative attachment means; 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the lint trap liner, according to the first alternative attachment means; 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom side perspective view of a lint trap showing the lint trap liner removably attached thereto, according to the first alternative attachment means; 
       FIG. 13  is a top side perspective view of the lint trap depicted in  FIG. 12  showing the lint trap liner removably attached thereto, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a second alternative attachment means; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a third alternative attachment means; and 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a plurality of the lint trap liner depicted in  FIG. 14 , positioned into a roll with perforations at regular intervals to provide individual lint trap liners adapted to be separated from the roll. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a clothes dryer  10  is shown and described generally as having a housing  12  and a front, openable loading door  14  with a handle  15 . The door  14  provides access to the interior of a rotatable drum  23 . The rotatable drum  23  rotates about a horizontal axis and has a non-rotating rear bulkhead  25  provided with air inlets  26  and air outlets  27 . The air inlets  26  are adapted for loading the interior of rotatable drum  23  with heated air via a heater  21  and the air outlets  27  are adapted for exhausting moisture, lint laden air. The rotatable drum  23  rotates via an electric motor  28  being operatively connected therewith. The electric motor  28  may also drive a fan  29  in order to facilitate airflow through the interior of rotatable drum  23 . 
   The clothes dryer  10  further includes a front wall  19  and a top wall  16  having a control panel  18  at a rear thereof. The control panel  18  includes a plurality of controls  20 , a number of which being manually activated to cause the clothes dryer  10  to advance through an automatic series of drying steps. The top wall  16  has a hatch  22  providing access to a lint trap  30 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The lint trap  30  is located downstream of the air outlets  27  and is removably held within an exhaust chute  24 . The lint trap  30  is inserted and removed from exhaust chute  24  through an opening  16   a  defined in the top wall  16  of clothes dryer  10 . The opening  16   a  provides direct passage into the exhaust chute  24 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , the lint trap  30  is shown and described generally as having an elongated frame  32  on which is mounted a screen web  90  for collecting lint  40 . The frame  32  includes a front side  32   a , to which is mounted screen web  90 , opposing a rear side  32 b. The screen web  90  forms a lint collecting surface  94  on a first side  92  thereof. Screen web  90  includes a second side  93  opposing the first side  92 . The screen web  90  may define a concave curvature  96  that forms a recessed cavity  98 . The frame  32  further includes an anterior end  33  and a posterior end  34 , wherein anterior end  33  defines a neck portion  37  having a handle  36  integrally molded or suitably affixed, such as by a spacer  38 , thereto. The frame  32  may include a row of spaced, rectangular projections  42  integrally molded to the rear side  32   b  thereof. The projections  42  add structural rigidity to the frame  32  and spacings between projections  42  allow frame  32  to bend. 
   Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a lint trap liner  60  is provided, wherein lint trap liner  60  is adapted for releasable attachment to a lint trap  30 . The lint trap liner  60  is adapted for disposable use and forms a generally rectangular configuration having an upper surface or lint contacting surface  69  and a lower surface  67 . While lint trap liner  60  is described as having a generally rectangular configuration, other geometric configurations are envisioned in order that lint trap liner  60  may shapely and measurably correspond to lint traps  30  defining various other configurations such as circular, square, oval, and the like. The lint trap liner  60  is adapted to capture moist lint  40  from a stream of air exhausted from the air outlets  27  through the exhaust chute  24  of a clothes dryer  10  as lint  40  passes therethrough. The lint trap liner  60  comprises an elongated, flexible, tenuous meshed membrane  62  adapted for snug, contiguous placement atop the first side  92  or lint collecting surface  94  of screen web  90 . The meshed membrane  62  is sizably and flexibly adapted so as to accommodate and readily conform to the contour of the first side  92  of screen web  90 . The meshed membrane  62  is sized so as to extend across an entirety of the first side  92  of screen web  90 . The meshed membrane  62  is constructed of a material having a porosity or mesh size adapted to facilitate optimum lint capturing efficiency without an inordinate drop in the air volume in the clothes dryer  10 . The membrane  62  construction material is adapted to prevent lint  40  fibers from dissociating, scattering or dispersing from atop the lint contacting surface  69  once accumulated thereon. It is envisioned that meshed membrane  62  is fabricated of a high temperature-resistant, flexible media selected from the group which includes but is not limited to monofilament open mesh fabric, fiberglass mesh media, polyethylene and polypropylene blend mesh media, aluminum mesh, and electrostatic mesh media. Monofilament open mesh fabrics comprise polypropylene monofilament fabric and polyester monofilament fabric. The meshed membrane  62  has a porosity or mesh size ranging from about 1 to 1000 microns. 
   An attachment means  70  is provided in order to facilitate releasable attachment of lint trap liner  60  to lint trap  30 . The attachment means  70 , according to the preferred embodiment, comprises a thin film of adhesive  130  bonded to the lower surface  67  of the lint trap liner  60 , wherein adhesive  130  is bonded or suitably applied to lower surface  67  in such a manner so as to leave meshed openings  62   a  of liner  60  uncovered. The adhesive  130  is a pressure-sensitive adhesive further defined as a releasable bond adhesive. More specifically, the adhesive  130  is comprised a formulation having a degree of tackiness sufficient to hold the liner  60  securely to the front side  32   a  of frame  32  in addition to secure snug-fit engagement by liner  60  with the first side  92  of screen web  90 , but which also allows liner  60  to be peelably released unitarily or monolithically from lint trap  30  without tearing, ripping, splitting, or the like. The adhesive formulation also provides sufficient tackiness to ensure against undesirable liner  60  release from lint trap  30  as lint trap  30  is inserted, temporarily positioned inside, and removed from exhaust chute  24 . 
   It is envisioned that liner  60  may include a plurality of integral concave protrusions  140  extending outwardly from a continuous peripheral edge of meshed membrane  62 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . More specifically, a first pair of protrusions  142 , being spatially positioned, extend outward laterally from a horizontally-oriented peripheral edge  65  of liner  60 , while a second pair of protrusions  144 , being spatially positioned, extend outward laterally from an opposing horizontally-oriented peripheral edge  66  of liner  60 . The protrusions  142 ,  144  are formed in a symmetric, curvilinear manner. Such liner  60  embodiment includes, as described above, a thin film of adhesive  130  bonded to the lower surface  67  of the lint trap liner  60 , wherein adhesive  130  is bonded or applied to lower surface  67  in such a manner so as to leave meshed openings  62   a  of liner  60  uncovered. The lower surface  67  of liner  60  is aligned with and releasably bonded to the first side  92  of screen web  90 . The first and second pair of protrusions  142  and  144  are folded against corresponding, opposing longitudinal sides  35 ,  39  of frame  32  along the underside  32   b  thereof. The protrusions  142  and  144  are adapted to conform readily to and be releasably held against opposing longitudinal sides  35 ,  39  of frame along the underside  32   b  thereof, thereby releasably bonding liner  60  in a snug-fit, conformational manner to lint trap  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10-13 , an attachment means  70 , in another embodiment, comprises a plurality of tabs  80  protruding integrally from a continuous peripheral edge of meshed membrane  62 . More specifically, a first set of tabs  81  protrude perpendicularly from a vertically-oriented lower peripheral edge  64  of liner  60 , while a second set of tabs  82  protrude perpendicularly from opposing horizontally-oriented peripheral edges  65 , 66  of liner  60 . A proximal peripheral edge  63  of liner  60  includes opposing tabs  83   a ,  83   b  protruding perpendicularly therefrom. Tabs  83   a ,  83   b  protruding along the proximal peripheral edge  63  of liner  60  define a greater length than a length defining remaining tabs  81  and  82 . 
   The plurality of tabs  80  are constructed of a resilient, flexible material adapted to bend to a shaped curvature and maintain the shaped curvature in its existing state until manually straightened, bent, or reshaped to an alternative configuration. In use, once liner  60  is properly aligned and placed atop the screen web  90 , the tabs  80  are bent in a manner so as to fixedly engage the underside  32 b of corresponding frame  32  peripheral edge portions, thereby removably attaching liner  60  to the first side  92  of screen web  90  in a snug-fit manner. More specifically, tabs  81  are adapted to bend and fixedly engage the posterior end  34  of frame  32  along the underside  32   b  peripheral edge thereof. Tabs  82  are adapted to bend and fixedly engage corresponding, opposing longitudinal sides  35 ,  39  of frame  32  along the underside  32   b  thereof. Tabs  83   a  and  83   b  are adapted to bend and fixedly engage the anterior end  33  of frame  32  along the underside  32   b  peripheral edge thereof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the attachment means  70 , in another embodiment, comprises a plurality of adhesive strips  50  bonded about horizontal and vertical edges of the lint trap liner  60 . More specifically, each adhesive strip  50  of the plurality of adhesive strips  50  comprises an adhesive coating  52  bonded to the lower surface  67  of the lint trap liner  60  about a first horizontal edge  68   a , a second horizontal edge  68   b , a first vertical edge  68   c , and a second vertical edge  68   d  of thereof. The adhesive coating  52  is a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is protected by a releasable liner  55 . The adhesive strips  50  are defined of a formulation having a degree of tackiness sufficient to hold the liner  60  securely to the front side  32   a  of frame  32 , thereby ensuring snug-fit engagement by liner  60  with the first side  92  of screen web  90 , but which also allows liner  60  to be peelably removed unitarily or monolithically from lint trap  30  without tearing, ripping, or the like. The adhesive formulation also provides sufficient tackiness to ensure against undesirable liner  60  release from lint trap  30  as lint trap  30  is inserted, temporarily positioned inside, and removed from exhaust chute  24 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the attachment means  70 , in still another embodiment, comprises at least one catch assembly  100 , wherein catch assembly  100  comprises a pair of opposing L-shaped legs  102  molded integral to the lower surface  67  of lint trap liner  60  about the horizontal sidewalls  68   a  and  68   b  thereof. The L-shaped legs  102  each includes a vertical member  103  having a foot portion  104  extending angularly from a lower end thereof at approximately 90°. The L-shaped legs  102  are linearly aligned and each comprises a boss  105  projecting downwardly from the foot portion  104  thereof. The boss  105  forms a projection receiving cavity  110  adapted to frictionally receive a corresponding rectangular projection  42  of the lint trap frame  32  in a snap-fit manner. The L-shaped legs  102  are adapted to snap into engagement with corresponding rectangular projections  42  of the lint trap frame  32  by a resilient, snap-fit action, thereby removably securing lint trap liner  60  to lint trap  30 . More specifically, the lower surface  67  of lint trap liner  60  is engaged against the first side  92  of screen web  90  and the L-shaped legs  102  of liner  60  are snapped into engagement with corresponding rectangular projections  42  of frame  32 . 
   It is envisioned other attachment mechanisms and methods such as hook and loop fasteners may be utilized to facilitate removable attachment of lint trap liner  60  to lint trap  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7-14 , and more particularly to  FIG. 16 , as will be described in greater detail below, it is envisioned in another embodiment that a plurality of linearly aligned lint trap liners  60  are formed, manufactured, packaged, and provided in a rolled form  122  for ease of dispensing and use. For purposes of disclosing the best available mode concerning this embodiment, and not by way of limitation regarding the functionality or design of the present invention, the lint trap liner  60  is manufactured as a length of a plurality of lint trap liners  60  which are perforated at regular intervals, along perforations  120 . An individual lint trap liner  60  is easily separated from the roll  122  along a perforation  120 , in a manner similar to separating a toilet tissue from a toilet tissue roll (not shown) or a paper towel from a paper towel roll (not shown). The perforations  120  may include any combination of short and long scores  124  or slits separated by short and long portions of lint trap liner  60  material. Scores  124  or slits are intended to include indentations in the lint trap liner  60  material which do not penetrate completely therethrough. 
   Each liner  60  comprises a flexible, tenuous meshed membrane  62  adapted for releasable attachment to a lint trap  30 . The membrane  62  has a lint contacting surface  69  opposing a lower surface  67  and is otherwise defined as being substantially identical to the lint trap liner  60  as described above according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is envisioned, however, that this embodiment may also comprise membranes  62  each having a plurality of integral concave protrusions  140  extending outwardly from a continuous peripheral edge thereof, as described above in greater detail. 
   In order to facilitate releasable attachment of an individual lint trap liner  60  to the lint trap  30 , an attachment means  70  is provided. For purposes of describing this embodiment, the attachment means  70  comprises a thin film of adhesive  130  bonded to the lower surface  67  of membrane  62 , as described above according to the preferred embodiment, but may comprise alternative attachment means  70  as also described in detail above. The attachment means  70  is adapted to facilitate releasable attachment of each individual membrane  62  to the lint trap  30 . 
   Alternative storage and dispensing configurations are contemplated. The liner  60  is further envisioned to be commercially available in the form of pre-measured sheets of uniform or non-uniform dimensions adapted to be stacked upon one another in a desired successional arrangement and dispensed from a suitable dispensing apparatus, such as a box or carton. 
   The use of the present invention allows for lint  40 , having accumulated on the meshed media which is attached superjacent to a lint trap  30 , to be peelably removed unitarily from lint trap  30  in a quick, easy, and efficient manner. The lint-accumulation and adherence feature of the present invention also prevents lint  40  or lint particles from scattering into the surrounding environment and falling onto the clothes dryer  10  or a clothes load during removal of the lint trap  30  with attached liner  60 . 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, user removably attaches the lint trap liner  60  to the lint collecting surface  94  of the screen web  90  of a lint trap  30  in a superjacent manner using the attachment means  70 . User next inserts the lint trap  30  with attached lint trap liner  60  through the exhaust chute  24  of a clothes dryer  10  in a manner such that the lint contacting surface  69  of liner  60  faces downwardly. User then executes a number of automatic clothes drying loads until a quantity of lint  40  has accumulated atop the lint contacting surface  69  of liner  60  requiring the lint trap  30  with attached liner  60  to be removed for cleaning. User then peelably removes lint-laden liner  60  from lint trap  30  and properly disposes of liner  60 . The lint trap liner  60  is adapted to peel unitarily from the lint trap  30 . 
   The use of the present invention allows lint to be peelably removed unitarily from a conventional lint trap in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
   Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3