Elastic membrane doors for industrial washer-extractor cylinders
US5375439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F37/10
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An improved door for a horizontal axis fabric treatment machine. The door is designed to removably cover an access opening in a perforated inner drum and includes a series of interwoven elongated fabric strips which are attached at each end to the drum by a series of buckles. The buckles include a frame portion attached to the drum and a tongue portion attached to an end of the elongated fabric strip. The fabric strips define living hinges adjacent each end thereof, allowing the door to open in a number of directions. The access opening is revealed by opening the buckles on three sides of the door, and pivoting the door about the living hinge provided on the fourth side. The buckles allow the door to be completely removed and replaced without tools. The door exploits membrane stiffness to retain, support, and transfer the weight or load from the door to the surrounding drum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.