Laundry appliance

US12215451B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Darryl C. Bodine · Saint Joseph, US
• Donald E. Erickson · Newton, US
• Gregg P. Fitzgerald · Eau Claire, US
• Eric A. Hill · Chicago, US
• Patrick A. McCormick · Clarendon Hills, US
• Stephen D. Ostdiek · Three Rivers, US
• Anna C. Schelling · Stevensville, US
• Robert J. Schneider · Fennville, US
• Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha · Komangalam, IN
• Todd J. Tunzi · Three Rivers, US
• Andrew C. Kubasiak · Saint Joseph, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 26, 2023
• Grant date: Feb 4, 2025
• Expiry date: Jul 26, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F3/167
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.