Method Of Heating The Clothes Load In A Tumbling Combination Washer/Dryer

Abstract

A combination washer/dryer machine has a cabinet with a tub and drum positioned in the cabinet. The drum is rotatably positioned in the tub. A heater is secured to the tub. The heater includes a duct to provide heated air from the heater. The duct is coupled with the tub to supply heated air to the drum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination washer/dryer machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub positioned in the cabinet;   a drum rotatably positioned in the tub; and   a heater secured to the tub, the heater including a duct for providing heated air from the heater, the duct coupled with the tub for supplying heated air to the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the duct is secured to the tub. 
     
     
         3 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tub includes at least one opening to receive heated air from the duct. 
     
     
         4 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum includes apertures in its end portion providing at least 50 cm 2  of open area of the area of the end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the heater includes a metal housing to secure the heater with the tub. 
     
     
         6 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 1 , wherein the heater duct is metal. 
     
     
         7 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 6 , wherein the heater duct is an independent part separate from the heater. 
     
     
         8 . A combination washer/dryer machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a door enabling access into the cabinet;   controls for operating the washer/dryer machine;   a washing circuit;   a drying system;   a tub positioned in the cabinet;   a drum rotatably positioned in the tub; and   a heater secured to the tub, the heater including a duct for providing heated air from the heater, the duct coupled with the tub for supplying heated air to the drum.   
     
     
         9 . Combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8  wherein the duct is secured to the tub. 
     
     
         10 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the tub includes at least one opening to receive heated air from the duct. 
     
     
         11 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the drum includes apertures in its end portion providing at least 50 cm 2  of open area of area of the end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the heater includes a metal housing to secure the heater with the tub. 
     
     
         13 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 8 , wherein the heater duct is metal. 
     
     
         14 . The combination washer/dryer machine of  claim 13 , wherein the heater duct is an independent part separate from the heater. 
     
     
         15 . A combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination comprising:
 a tub;   a drum rotatably positioned in the tub; and   a heater secured to the tub, the heater including a duct for providing heated air from the heater, the duct coupled with the tub for supplying heated air to the drum.   
     
     
         16 . The combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination of  claim 15 , wherein the duct is secured to the tub. 
     
     
         17 . The combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination of  claim 15 , wherein the tub includes at one opening to receive heated air from the duct. 
     
     
         18 . The combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination of  claim 15 , wherein the drum includes apertures in its end portion providing at least 50 cm 2  of open area of the area of the end portion. 
     
     
         19 . The combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination of  claim 15 , wherein the heater includes a metal housing to secure it with the tub. 
     
     
         20 . The combination washer/dryer machine drum and tub combination of  claim 19 , wherein the heater duct is metal.