US2328129A - Drier arrangement - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 31, 1943. c, EARLE 2,328,129

DRIER ARRANGEMENT Filed Jan. 18, 1940 FIG. 2

/Nl/ENTOR GUYO/V LC. EA RLE ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 31,1943

DRIER ARRANGEMENT Guyon L. C. Earle, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to Genevieve M. Earle, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,402

Claims.

This application relates to driers and more specifically to article driers for kitchens.

The average housewife, after washing her dishes, often finds it necessary to leave them in a rack to dry. They usually take a considerable length of time to accomplish this because there is not enough circulation of warm air around the dishes. Moreover, the dishes are exposed for all to see-a situation all too frequently not desirable.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel dish drying arrangement in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided.

In every modern kitchen today, a mechanical refrigerator, either electric or gas, is found. Due to their methods of operation, refrigerators of both types give off much heat, which heat escapes into the room, more often than not causing annoyance to the housewife because it heats up the articles which are placed over the refrigerator exit for the heated air. In the arrangement of the present invention, this heat is conducted away so that it causes no inconvenience.

It is, therefore, another object of this invention to provide a novel arrangement of a mechanical refrigerator and other elements associated therewith in which the heat from the refrigerator is conducted away from the place where it originates.

It has been discovered that if circulating air is caused to pass over or near the source of heat from the refrigerator and then conducted through a rack upon which wet dishes are arranged a most efficient dish drier is obtained.

It is a further object; of this invention to provide a dish drier arrangement in which circulating air warmed by the heat given off from a mechanical refrigerator is utilized to dry dishes and similar articles.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a towel drier arrangement utilizing the heated air described above.

Other and ancillary objects will appear as the description proceeds.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, by way of illustration, a kitchen arrangement comprising a sink unit located preferably between a refrigerator unit and a stove unit. These units are preferably all of the type having a set-back top such as is described in Patent 2,180,459, issued November 21, 1939, to Guyon L. C. Earle. Located above and to the rear of the sink is a compartment having a rack therein upon which dishes may be placed for rinsing and drying. This compartment has an upper opening leading to a flue and is also open at the bottom to an air current. Preferably located under the sink or under a table top member adjacent the sink is the operating mechanism of the refrigerator. A current of air is led into the unit from the region near the floor of the room and this current is allowed to pass near the operating mechanism, serving the double purpose of cooling the mechanism and heating the air. The heated air is then led through a compartment in which towels or similar articles may be hung and thence into the dish drier compartment. The air then passes out into a flue whence it flows to a central ventilating system (if the arrangement is in an apartment house or home which is so equipped.) In the dishwashing and drying compartment a hand spray having a counterweight thereon is adapted to be connected to the sink faucet whereby the dishes can be sprayed with clean water. This spray is out of sight when the door to the dishwashing compartment is closed. If desired the sink may be divided into two portions for washing and rinsing purposes. A swivel faucet permits the water to flow into either sink portion. The sink portions have separate drains and an overflow drain is also provided in the partition between them, which partition is usually lower than the top of the sink.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen unit including a refrigerator, stove, sink, dishwasher and drier, towel racks and cabinets; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation view taken in cross section through the central portion of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing,

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective, an embodiment of the kitchen unit showing the novel driers of this invention. This unit may be conveniently divided vertically for ease of description into three units-a refrigerator unit ill, a sink, dishwasher and drier unit ll (hereinafter designated sink unit), and stove unit I2,

The refrigerator unit I0, which is more fully described in Patent 2,180,460, issued November 21, 1939, to Guyon L. C. Earle, and in two copending applications, Serial No. 318,223, filed February 10, 1940, and issued on March 2, 1943, as Patent 2,312,325; and Serial No, 318,324, filed February 10, 1940, by the same inventor, preferably comprises a lower refrigerated portion I3 which is closed by drawers [4 and an upper refrigerated portion l5 comprising a compartment l6 for ice-cube trays l1 and an upper refrigerated compartment I8. Located above the upper portion I5 of the refrigerator is a cabinet l9 preferably comprising shelves 20 and 2| the shelves 20 being set back from the shelves 2|. Doors 22 close the cabinet space, and doors 23 and 24 close the upper portion of the refrigerator, the front surfaces of the doors 22 being preferably parallel to and setback from the front surfaces of the drawers I4. The front surface of the doors 23 and 24 is also preferably parallel to the front surface of the drawers l4 but is set back farther than the front surface of the doors 22. An overhang 25 may be provided, if desired, which may shield one or more sofflt lights 26. Located above the lower portion |3 of the refrigerator and in front of the upper portion l5 thereof is a table top member 21 of any suitable material such as stainless steel or Monel metal, which table top member serves both as a support for articles being taken out of and being placed in said refrigerator and as a drainboard for the sink which is located adjacent the refrigerator.

The sink unit comprises a sink 3!] which is divided into a relatively large portion 3| and a relatively small portion 32, a compartment 33 located above and to the rear of the sink 30, an upper cabinet member 34, a plurality of towel racks 35 having a front member 36 therefor, and aplurality of drawers 31 located beneath the sink. Also beneath the sink 3|] is located the operating mechanism 39 for a mechanical refrigerator which is located behind hinged door 38, suitable tubes (not shown) being provided to connect the mechanism 39 with the evaporator contained in the compartment l6. It is obvious that the operating mechanism 39 may be a portion of either a gas or electric refrigerator as it is well known that the refrigerator, whether it be of the gas or electric type, gives off considerable heat. Heretofore this heat has been allowed to escape into the kitchen, providing considerable annoyance to the housewife. As pointed out in greater detail below, this heat may be not only prevented from escaping into the kitchen but is, moreover, caused to heat and dry various articles. In order to accomplish this result cool air is drawn in through an aperture 40 in the recessed base member which serves to support part of or the entire unit. This cool air passes in to the sound-insulated, partly closed box 39 containing the operating mechanism M of the, refrigerator where it tends to cool the mechanism and is, in turn, heated a few degrees. The heated air then passes out of the box 39 through the opening 4|, which may, if desired, be filled with a filter 42, into the region around the towel racks 35, thereby quickly drying the towels 43 placed thereon to dry. The warm air is then led into the region back of the sink 30 and into the compartment 33. Due to the fact that there is a continuous and fairly rapid circulation, the air is heated only a few degrees, and, because the air is relatively dry, there is little or no condensation on the bottom of the sink and on the trap 5|. This compartment preferably contains a supporting member 44 which has various mesh racks 45 thereon which racks are intended to support articles 46 such as dishes, glasses, etc. A gentle stream of warm air passes through compartment 33, more quickly drying dishes 46 placed therein, and

asaame thence into a flue 41 which may be connected to a central flue 48 (in the case where the unit is located in an apartment or house which is equipped with a central flue). If desired a blower (not shown) may be provided to insure proper draught through the unit. This blower may be part of the operating mechanism. A filter (not shown) preferably of larger area than the flue 41 may be inserted conveniently accessible to the upper shelf of the top cabinet. This will help keep soot, grease and dust (if, as will be pointed out hereinafter, the flue is connected to the oven 12) from soiling the kitchen ceiling (when the duct 41 leads into the kitchen).

Within compartment 33 is a mesh holder 49 for soap, steel wool, etc. The sink 3|) is especially deep and projects back under the dish washing and drying compartment 33. The water from the articles 46 drains towards the rear of the sink 30. The waste removal members 50 are placed at the back of the sink thus permitting the placing of the sound-insulated operating mechanism 39 of the refrigerator under the drain pipe 5| of the sink with the towel racks 35 oocupying the space in front of the drain pipe 5|. The drawers 31 are located under the smaller portion 32 of the sink.

The sink 30 is divided into the two portions 3|, 32 by the partition member 52 which is preferably lower than the top. of the sink and drain 53, leading from portion 3| to 32 prevents overflow. The swivel faucet 54 permits the water to flow into either portion 3| or 32 of the sink. Due to the division of the sink into two portions, it is very convenient to wash dishes in the large portion 3| and rinse them in clean hot water in the smaller portion 32 before placing them in the rack 35 in the compartment 33 to dry. The plumbing for the faucet 54 and the waste pipe 5 have not been shown in order to simplify the drawing. The drain of the smaller sink 32 is preferably higher than the drain of the larger sink 3|, thus keeping soapy water from rinsing the sink 32.

The dishes 46 in the compartment 33'may be washed by any suitable means such as, for example, a spray nozzle 66 connected to the flexible hose 6| which is adapted to be fastened to the faucet 54. A counter weight 62 prevents the tube 6| from getting any kinks therein. By means of the counter weight, the spray nozzle 60 may be pulled out to rinse the dishes 46. When not in use the counter weight draws tube 6| and spray 60 out of sight. A hook 63 may be used to support the tube 6| if desired.

The advantages of the dish washing and drying apparatus of my invention over the usual dish washing are self-evident, as it is out of the way, does not take up any table top space and in fact becomes part of the wall cabinet. Moreover the dishes can be dried quickly and conveniently in the compartment 33 because of the flow of warm air therethrough. It also keeps dripping, unsightly brushes, soaps, powders,-etc., out of sight yet still permits convenient access thereto.

Located above the dish washing and drying compartment is the cabinet space 34 comprising shelves 64 to the lower two of which are preferably stepped. When there is no flue 41, the shelves extend back to the back wall of the cabinet. The doors 65 for this upper cabinet are preferably in the same vertical plane as the doors 22 over the refrigerator unit and are also in the same vertical plane as the doors 66 which close a similar cabinet located above the stove unit to be now described. In "cut-comer kitchens thev cabinet fronts'are not necessarily in the same vertical plane. This is true because of the shape of the wall. As in the case of the refrigerator,

one or more sofllt lights 28 may be located be-' hind overhang 25, if desired.

The stove unit I2 comprises a lower stove portion Ill and an upper stove portion 'H, cabinets located behind doors 68. The lower portion Ill comprises an oven I2, a broiler l3 and drawers- 14. The upper stove portion II comprises two enclosed compartments behind doors l5 and I5, one or both of these compartments containing electric or gas burners. The table top member, which is an extension of member 21, is placed on top of the lower portion and in front of upper portion 'II. The table top member may have one or more burners" therein, if desired. The upper set-back compartment 16 of the stove is completely insulated and preferably has lower than a 50 watt burner therein so that it will be possible to do quick heating of foods over the gas burners I1 and then flnish the cooking by electricity. This use of low wattage makes it possible to use the ordinary electric outlet for finishing cooking by electricity and not have special electric wiring for the electric portion of the stove. The stove unit .per se does not form part of the present inven- .may be located under the table top member 21 and perform the same functions as above described. If desired, the warm air from the oven 12 may be passed into the compartment 33 through a flue and thence out the flue 41. Also, if desired, the warm air from the operating mechanism 39 may be conducted into the compartment 1! or the compartment 18 (or both) to warm plates, etc., therein. Moreover, a flue may be located between the two cabinets 88 which may be connected to the compartment 33.

While various embodiments and modifications of this invention have been described herein it is to be understood that various other modifications may be made without changing the scope of the invention which is indicated by the appended claims. In the claims, the term "dish is intended to be generic to all types of eating and cooking utensils such as. for example, plates, cups, saucers, glasses, silverware, and pans.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination for drying dishes and similar articles comprising a compartment having walls, racks for dishes and similar articles positioned within said walls, said compartment having openings in the upper and lower portions thereof, respectively, to permit the passage of air through said compartment and an opening in a wall thereof to permit articles to be placed on the racksin said compartment and be removed therefrom, a closure member for the opening in said wall, means defining a drainage path for conducting drain water from said compartment, a mechanical refrigerator having a condenserwhich gives of! heat, said condenser being positioned at a lower level than the opening in the lower portion of said compartment, and means including said condenser for producing an upwardly moving current of heated air which passes into said compartment through the opening in the lower portion thereof and out of said compartment through the opening in the upper portion thereof.

2. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in which said drainage means includes the drain of a sink.

3. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in further combination with a rack for towels and similar articles positioned in the path of said current of heated air.

4. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in further combination with an enclosing member for said condenser adapted to be supported from the floor of a room, said enclosing member having an opening therein near the floor of the room which forms an inlet for the air comprising said air current.

5. A kitchen combination comprising a sink having a drain, a dish drying compartment having walls and being positioned above and to'the rear of said sink, racks for dishes positioned within said walls, said compartment having openings in the upper and lower portions thereof, respectively, to permit the passage of air through said compartment and an opening in a wall thereof to permit articles to be placed on the racks in said "compartment and be removed therefrom, a closure member for the opening in said wall, means including the drain of said sink for conducting drain water from said compartment, a mechanical refrigerator adjacent said sink and having a condenser which gives off heat, said condenser being positioned at a lower level than the opening in the lower portion of said compartment, and means including said condenser for producing an upwardly moving current of heated air which passes into said compartment through the opening in the lower portion thereof and out of said compartment through the opening in the upper portion thereof.

GUYON L. C. EARLE.

Images