A gasket system for an open face side of a rotating drum

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket system for an open face side of a rotating drum, in particular for a rear side of a laundry drum. Further, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer with a gasket system for an open rear side of a laundry drum.

[0002] In a typical laundry dryer the laundry drum is formed as a cylinder barrel with an open front face side and an open rear face side. The front opening of the laundry drum is provided for loading laundry. The rear opening of the laundry drum is covered by a rear bulk head attached at a rear cabinet wall of the laundry dryer. A perforated central portion of the rear bulk head is provided for blowing hot air into the laundry drum.

[0003] Usually, an annular gasket is arranged between the rear opening of the laundry drum and the rear bulk head. The annular gasket does not rotate with the laundry drum. For example, the annular gasket is fitted at the bulk head or at the rear wall by a metal band enclosing circumferentially said gasket. The metal band is fixed at the bulk head or at the rear wall by tabs perpendicular to said band. The band is clinched or screwed at the bulk head or at the rear wall, respectively.

[0004] US 5,127,169 describes a clothes dryer with a gasket between a rear face side of a laundry drum and a rear panel of said clothes dryer.

[0005] WO 2010/077053 A2 discloses a laundry machine with two gaskets. The one ring is provided for the front face side of the laundry drum. The other ring is provided for the rear face side of the laundry drum.

[0006] US 2005/0108893 A1 discloses a laundry dryer with a rear supporter for covering the rear face side of the laundry drum. The rear supporter is screwed at the rear wall of the cabinet. The rear supporter acts as an adapter.

[0007] US 4,430,809 a gasket system for a laundry dryer wherein a seal is attached to a support ring and an open face of a laundry drum is radially placed onto such seal.

[0008] DE 31 32 737 discloses a gasket system for a closed end face of a laundry drum. A gasket is mounted in a gasket seat provided in a ring which is supported by a drum supporting shaft.

[0009] US 3,816,942 discloses a laundry dryer having bulkheads formed in a ring-like manner to receive a seal.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket system for an open face side of a rotating drum, in particular for the rear side of a laundry drum.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by the gasket system according to claim 1.

[0012] The present invention relates to a gasket system for an open face side of a rotating drum, in particular for a rear side of a laundry drum, wherein

• the gasket system includes an annular front gasket adjacent to or attachable at the open face side of the rotating drum,
• the gasket system includes an annular ring with a front gasket seat,
• the front gasket is received or receivable by the front gasket seat of the ring.

[0013] According to the present invention a ring is provided for seating a front gasket that abuts against the rotating rear side of a laundry drum.
The inventive gasket system allows a better air tight and heat insulation in the interface between the rear face side of the laundry drum and the rear bulk head. The ring is detachably fastened at the rear bulk head. The shape of the rear cabinet wall is independent of the dimensions of the ring. The same ring may be used for several laundry dryers with different rear cabinet walls.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the front gasket seat of the ring is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, wherein the open side of said U-shaped profile part is directed to the rotating drum.

[0015] Preferably, the gasket system includes an annular rear gasket adjacent to or attachable at a cover sheet for covering the open face side of the rotating drum.

[0016] Further, the rear gasket is received or receivable by the rear gasket seat of the ring.

[0017] Preferably, the rear gasket seat of the ring is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, wherein the open side of said U-shaped profile part is directed or directional to the cover sheet.

[0018] In particular, the front gasket seat of the ring comprises at least one circumferential elongated projection inside said front gasket seat.

[0019] Further, the front gasket comprises an elastomeric part and a felt part, wherein the felt part is directed to the rotating drum.

[0020] In this case, the at least one projection of the front gasket seat may be provided for squeezing the elastomeric part of the front gasket in order to fasten said front gasket in the front gasket seat.

[0021] Preferably, the front gasket is completely received or receivable by the front gasket seat of the ring.

[0022] In contrast, the rear gasket is partially received or receivable by the rear gasket seat of the ring.

[0023] Further, the ring comprises at least one distance element directed or directional to the cover sheet.
In particular, the at least one distance element is marginally longer than the rear gasket seat respective the direction to the cover sheet.

[0024] Further, the ring is made by a polymeric material, and further preferably, it is made by an injection moulding process.

[0025] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the rotating drum is a laundry drum, the open face side is the rear face side of said laundry drum, and the cover sheet is a rear bulk head and/or a rear cabinet wall of the laundry drum.

[0026] Further, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer with a gasket system for an open rear side of a laundry drum, wherein the laundry dryer comprises a gasket system mentioned above.

[0027] Preferably, the laundry dryer comprises a drying air circuit for cyclically recirculating air onto laundry contained inside the drum, said drying air circuit being provided with a heat pump arrangement for heating and removing moisture from air passed through laundry to be dried.

[0028] The novel and inventive features believed to be the characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0029] The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG 1

shows a perspective exploded side view of a gasket system for the rear side of a laundry drum according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 2

shows a sectional side view of the laundry drum with the gasket system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 3

shows a detailed sectional side view of the gasket system for the rear side of the laundry drum according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4

shows a perspective exploded side view of a laundry dryer with a gasket system according to the invention;

[0030] FIG 1 illustrates a perspective exploded side view of a gasket system for the rear side of a laundry drum 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The laundry drum 10 is substantially formed as a cylinder barrel. The front face side and the rear face side comprise a round opening in each case. The laundry drum 10 is made of metal, in particular of stainless steel. The front opening of the laundry drum 10 is provided for loading laundry. The rear opening of the laundry drum 10 is covered by a rear bulk head 12. The rear bulk head 12 is attached at a rear cabinet wall 14 of a laundry dryer. A perforated central portion of the rear bulk head 12 is provided for blowing hot air into the laundry drum 10. Said perforated central portion of bulk head 12 can be arranged in fluid communication with a drying air circuit of a laundry dryer.

[0032] A gasket system is arranged between the laundry drum 10 and the bulk head 12. The gasket system comprises a front gasket 16, and a ring 18. The front gasket 16 and the ring 18 have an annular form in each case. The ring 18 is fixed at the rear bulk head 12 and/or at the rear cabinet wall 14 by screws or other fastening means, like rivets, adhesive, welding. The ring 18 includes a front gasket seat 22 that is provided for receiving the front gasket 16. The front gasket 16 forms the connection between the rear face side of the laundry drum 10 and the ring 18.
The gasket system preferably comprises a rear gasket 20 having an annular form. The ring 18 includes a rear gasket seat 24 that is provided for receiving the rear gasket 20. The rear gasket 20 forms the connection between the plastic ring 18 and the rear bulk head 12.

[0033] In a preferable embodiment the ring 18 may be made of a polymeric material rather than of metal. Further advantageously the polymeric, i.e. plastic, ring 18 may be made by an injection moulding process.

[0034] The whole gasket system, i.e. the front gasket 16, the plastic ring 18 and also the rear gasket 20, if the latter is present, is stably fixed at the rear bulk head 12, so that the gasket system does not rotate with the laundry drum 10. For this purpose, a plurality of ribs may be provided on the front gasket seat 22 of the ring 18. Said ribs protrude into the front gasket seat 22 and prevent the rotation of the front gasket 16.

[0035] FIG 2 illustrates a sectional side view of the laundry drum 10 with the gasket system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG 2 shows the structures of the rear bulk head 12 and the rear cabinet wall 14. The rear bulk head 12 and the rear cabinet wall 14 are spaced apart one another at least in their central portions so as to form an air chamber 26 therebetween.

[0036] FIG 3 illustrates a detailed sectional side view of the gasket system for the rear side of the laundry drum 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 3 clarifies the cross-sections of the front gasket 16, the ring 18 and the optional rear gasket 20.

[0037] The front gasket seat 22 of the ring 18 is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, which open side is directed to the laundry drum 10 and to the front side of the laundry dryer. In a similar way, the rear gasket seat 24 of the ring 18 is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, which open side is directed to the rear cabinet wall 14 of the laundry dryer. In this example, the cross-section of the front gasket seat 22 is bigger than the cross-section of the rear gasket seat 24.

[0038] The front gasket 16 is completely received by the front gasket seat 22. The front gasket 16 preferably includes an elastomeric part 32 and a felt part 34. The elastomeric part 32 forms the rear part of the front gasket 16. The felt part 34 forms the front part of the front gasket 16. The elastomeric part 32 of the front gasket 16 is hollow and has a rectangular cross-section. The felt part 34 of the front gasket 16 is compact. Two circumferential elongated projections 30 are inside the front gasket seat 22. The projections 30 are at the inner side walls of the U-shaped profile part. The projections 30 squeeze the elastomeric part 32 of the front gasket 16 in order to fasten said front gasket 16 in the front gasket seat 22 of the plastic ring 18.

[0039] The rear gasket 20 is partially received by the rear gasket seat 24. A bigger portion of the rear gasket 20 is received by the rear gasket seat 24. A smaller portion of the rear gasket 20 projects out of the rear gasket seat 24 and is pressed against the rear bulk head 12. The rear gasket 20 is compact. The rear gasket seat 24 does not touch the rear bulk head 12. The plastic ring 18 comprises two distance elements 28 at its rear side. The distance elements 28 extend rearwards and are arranged beside the rear gasket seat 24. The distance elements 28 touch the rear bulk head 12, so that the plastic ring 18 is supported by the rear bulk head 12 via the distance elements 28.

[0040] Whether the rear gasket 20 is absent, the fixation between the ring 18 and the rear bulk head 12 and/or the rear cabinet wall 14 is air-tight so as to avoid any air leakage. The provision of a rear gasket 20 further enhances the air-tight connection between the ring 18 and the rear bulk head 12 and/or the rear cabinet wall 14.

[0041] The gasket system according to the present invention provides a better air tight and heat insulation in the interface between the rear face side of the laundry drum 10 and the rear bulk head 12. The plastic ring 18 is detachably fastened at the rear bulk head 12, so that a permanent fixation of said plastic ring 18 is avoided. The shape of the rear cabinet wall 14 is independent of the dimensions of the plastic ring 18. The same plastic ring 18 can be used for several laundry dryers with different rear cabinet walls 14.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a perspective exploded side view of a laundry dryer 1 with a gasket system according to the invention. Fig 4 clarifies how the drum 10 and the gasket system are arranged in the laundry dryer. The front opening of the laundry drum 10 which is provided for loading laundry is arranged behind a door 2 pivotally mounted on the front wall 3 of the machine cabinet 4.
The laundry dryer 1 comprises a drying air circuit for circulating air through the drum 10 so as to dry wet laundry contained therein. Preferably, the drying air circuit is provided with a heat pump arrangement for heating and removing moisture from air passed through laundry to be dried.

[0043] Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to this precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0044] 

1

laundry dryer

2

door

3

front cabinet wall

4

cabinet

10

laundry drum

12

rear bulk head

14

rear cabinet wall

16

front gasket

18

plastic ring

20

rear gasket

22

front gasket seat

24

rear gasket seat

26

air chamber

28

distance element

30

projection

32

elastomeric part of the front gasket

34

felt part of the front gasket

Claims

1. A gasket system for an open face side of a drum rotating about an axis, in particular for a rear side of a laundry drum (10), wherein

- the gasket system includes an annular front gasket (16) to be placed adjacent to an edge of the drum defining a round opening of the open face side of the rotating drum (10),

- the gasket system includes an annular ring (18) having a front gasket seat (22), the annular ring being detachably fastenable to a rear bulk head (12) covering the round opening of the rotating drum (10)
characterised in that
the annular ring (18) comprises a radially inner border delimiting a circular pass through-hole provided for facing the round opening of the rotating drum, and in that the front gasket (16) is received or receivable by the front gasket seat (22) of the ring (18) so as to be interposed between the edge of the drum round opening and the annular ring (18) along a direction parallel to said axis.

2. The gasket system according to claim 1 characterized by comprising an annular rear gasket (20) adjacent to or attachable at a cover sheet (12, 14) for covering the open face side of the rotating drum (10).

3. The gasket system according to claim 2 wherein the ring (18) comprises a rear gasket seat (24) wherein the rear gasket (20) is received or receivable.

4. The gasket system according to claim 3,
characterized in, that
the rear gasket seat (24) of the ring (18) is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, wherein the open side of said U-shaped profile part is directed or directional to the cover sheet (12, 14).

5. The gasket system according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in, that
the rear gasket (16) is partially received or receivable by the rear gasket seat (24) of the ring (18).

6. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring is made by a polymeric material.

7. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the front gasket seat (22) of the ring (18) is formed as a circumferential U-shaped profile part, wherein the open side of said U-shaped profile part is directed to the rotating drum (10).

8. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the front gasket seat (22) of the ring (18) comprises at least one circumferential elongated projection (30) inside said front gasket seat (22).

9. The gasket system according to claim 8,
characterized in, that
the at least one projection (30) of the front gasket seat (22) is provided for squeezing the elastomeric part (32) of the front gasket (16) in order to fasten said front gasket (16) in the front gasket seat (22).

10. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the front gasket (16) is completely received or receivable by the front gasket seat (22) of the ring (18).

11. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the ring (18) comprises at least one distance element (28) directed or directional to the cover sheet (12, 14).

12. The gasket system according to claim 11 and to claim 3 or 4 ,
characterized in, that
the at least one distance element (28) is marginally longer than the rear gasket seat (24) respective the direction to the cover sheet (12, 14).

13. The gasket system according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the rotating drum is a laundry drum (10), the open face side is the rear face side of said laundry drum (10), and the cover sheet is a rear bulk head (12) and/or a rear cabinet wall (14) of the laundry drum (10).

14. A laundry dryer (1) with a gasket system for an open rear side of a laundry drum (10), the dryer (1) having a drum (10) rotating about an axis and comprising an edge defining a round opening of the drum open rear side, the dryer (1) further comprising a rear bulk head (12) covering the round opening of the rotating drum (10)
characterized in, that
the laundry dryer comprises a gasket system (16, 18) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

15. A laundry dryer (1) according to claim 14 characterised by comprising a drying air circuit for cyclically recirculating air onto laundry contained inside the drum, said drying air circuit being provided with a heat pump arrangement for heating and removing moisture from air passed through laundry to be dried.

Ansprüche

1. Dichtungssystem für eine offene Stirnseite einer um eine Achse rotierenden Trommel, insbesondere für eine Rückseite einer Wäschetrommel (10), wobei:

- das Dichtungssystem eine angrenzend an eine Kante der Trommel zu platzierende ringförmige vordere Dichtung (16) beinhaltet, die eine runde Öffnung der offenen Stirnseite der Drehtrommel (10) definiert;

- das Dichtungssystem einen ringförmigen Ring (18) mit einem vorderen Dichtungssitz (22) beinhaltet, wobei der ringförmige Ring abnehmbar an einer hinteren Trennwand (12) befestigt werden kann, um die runde Öffnung der Drehtrommel (10) abzudecken;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der ringförmige Ring (18) eine radial innere Abgrenzung umfasst, die ein kreisförmiges Durchgangsloch begrenzt, das der runden Öffnung der Drehtrommel zugewandt vorgesehen ist, und dass der vordere Dichtungssitz (22) des Rings (18) die vordere Dichtung (16) aufnimmt oder diese aufnehmen kann, so dass diese zwischen der Kante der runden Trommelöffnung und dem ringförmigen Ring (18) entlang einer parallel zur Achse verlaufenden Richtung eingefügt werden kann.

2. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es eine ringförmige hintere Dichtung (20) umfasst, die angrenzend an ein Abdeckblech (12, 14) vorgesehen ist oder daran befestigt werden kann, um die offene Stirnseite der Drehtrommel (10) abzudecken.

3. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 2, bei dem der Ring (18) einen hinteren Dichtungssitz (24) umfasst, der die hintere Dichtung (20) aufnimmt oder diese aufnehmen kann.

4. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der hintere Dichtungssitz (24) des Rings (18) als ein umlaufendes U-förmiges Profilteil ausgebildet ist, wobei die offene Seite des U-förmigen Profilteils hin zum Abdeckblech (12, 14) ausgerichtet oder ausrichtbar ist.

5. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der hintere Dichtungssitz (24) des Rings (18) die hintere Dichtung (16) teilweise aufnimmt oder aufnehmen kann.

6. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ring aus einem polymeren Material besteht.

7. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der vordere Dichtungssitz (22) des Rings (18) als ein umlaufendes U-förmiges Profilteil ausgebildet ist, wobei die offene Seite des U-förmigen Profilteils hin zur Drehtrommel (10) ausgerichtet ist.

8. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der vordere Dichtungssitz (22) des Rings (18) mindestens einen umlaufenden länglichen Vorsprung (30) im Inneren des vorderen Dichtungssitzes (22) umfasst.

9. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Vorsprung (30) des vorderen Dichtungssitzes (22) vorgesehen ist, um das elastomere Teil (32) der vorderen Dichtung (16) zusammenzudrücken, um so die vordere Dichtung (16) im vorderen Dichtungssitz (22) zu befestigen.

10. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der vordere Dichtungssitz (22) des Rings (18) die vordere Dichtung (16) vollständig aufnimmt oder aufnehmen kann.

11. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ring (18) mindestens ein Distanzelement (28) umfasst, das hin zum Abdeckblech (12, 14) ausgerichtet oder ausrichtbar ist.

12. Dichtungssystem nach Anspruch 11 und nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das mindestens eine Distanzelement (28) geringfügig länger als der hintere Dichtungssitz (24) hinsichtlich der Ausrichtung hin zum Abdeckblech (12, 14) ist.

13. Dichtungssystem nach einem der vorstehend aufgeführten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drehtrommel eine Wäschetrommel (10) ist, die offene Stirnseite die hintere Stirnseite der Wäschetrommel (10) ist und das Abdeckblech eine hintere Trennwand (12) und/oder eine hintere Gehäusewand (14) der Wäschetrommel (10) ist.

14. Wäschetrockner (1) mit einem Dichtungssystem für eine offene Rückseite einer Wäschetrommel (10), wobei der Trockner (1) eine um eine Achse rotierende Trommel (10) hat und eine Kante umfasst, die eine runde Öffnung der offenen Trommelrückseite definiert, wobei der Trockner (1) weiterhin eine hintere Trennwand (12) umfasst, die die runde Öffnung der Drehtrommel (10) abdeckt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wäschetrockner ein Dichtungssystem (16, 18) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13 umfasst.

15. Wäschetrockner (1) nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er einen Trockenluftkreislauf umfasst, um zyklisch Luft auf im Inneren der Trommel befindliche Wäsche umzuwälzen, wobei der Trockenluftkreislauf mit einer Wärmepumpenanordnung ausgestattet ist, um durch die zu trocknende Wäsche geleitete Luft zu erwärmen und dieser Feuchtigkeit zu entziehen.

Revendications

1. Système de joint destiné à un côté de face ouverte d'un tambour tournant autour d'un axe, en particulier pour un côté d'un tambour à linge (10), dans lequel;
le système de joint comprend un joint avant annulaire (16) à placer de façon adjacente à un bord du tambour et définissant une ouverture ronde du côté de face ouverte du tambour rotatif (10),
le système de joint comprend un anneau annulaire (18) présentant un siège de joint avant (22), l'anneau annulaire pouvant être attaché de façon détachable à une cloison arrière (12) qui couvre l'ouverture ronde du tambour rotatif (10),
caractérisé en ce que:

l'anneau annulaire (18) comprend une bordure radialement intérieure qui délimite un trou traversant de passage circulaire prévu pour se trouver en face de l'ouverture ronde du tambour rotatif, et en ce que le joint avant (16) est reçu ou peut être reçu par le siège de joint avant (22) de l'anneau (18) de manière à être interposé entre le bord de l'ouverture ronde du tambour et l'anneau annulaire (18) le long d'une direction parallèle audit axe.

2. Système de joint selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que qu'il comprend un joint arrière annulaire (20) adjacent ou pouvant être attaché à une feuille de recouvrement (12, 14) pour recouvrir le côté de face ouverte du tambour rotatif (10).

3. Système de joint selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'anneau (18) comprend un siège de joint arrière (24) dans lequel le joint arrière (20) est reçu ou peut être reçu.

4. Système de joint selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le siège de joint arrière (24) de l'anneau (18) est formé comme une partie de profilé en forme de U circonférentielle, dans lequel le côté ouvert de ladite partie de profilé en forme de U est dirigée ou dirigeable vers la feuille de recouvrement (12, 14).

5. Système de joint selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que le joint arrière (16) est reçu ou peut être reçu partiellement par le siège de joint arrière (24) de l'anneau (18).

6. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'anneau est constitué d'un matériau polymère.

7. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce le siège de joint avant (22) de l'anneau (18) est formé comme une partie de profilé en forme de U circonférentielle, dans lequel le côté ouvert de la partie de profilé en forme de U est dirigée vers le tambour rotatif (10).

8. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le siège de joint avant (22) de l'anneau (18) comprend au moins une saillie allongée circonférentielle (30) à l'intérieur dudit siège de joint avant (22).

9. Système de joint selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une saillie (30) du siège de joint avant (22) est prévue pour écraser la partie élastomère (32) du joint avant (16) afin de fixer ledit joint avant (16) dans le siège de joint avant (22).

10. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le joint avant (16) est reçu ou peut être reçu complètement par le siège de joint avant (22) de l'anneau (18).

11. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'anneau (18) comprend au moins un élément d'écartement (28) dirigé ou dirigeable vers la feuille de recouvrement (12, 14).

12. Système de joint selon la revendication 11 et la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un élément d'écartement (28) est marginalement plus long que le siège de joint arrière (24) par rapport à la direction vers la feuille de recouvrement (12, 14).

13. Système de joint selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le tambour rotatif est un tambour à linge (10), le côté de face ouverte est le côté de face arrière dudit tambour à linge (10), et la feuille de recouvrement est une cloison arrière (12) et/ou une paroi d'enceinte arrière (14) du tambour à linge (10).

14. Séchoir à linge (1) équipé d'un système de joint pour un côté arrière ouvert d'un tambour à linge (10), le séchoir (1) comprenant un tambour (10) rotatif autour d'un axe et comprenant un bord définissant une ouverture ronde du côté arrière ouvert du tambour, le séchoir (1) comprenant en outre une cloison arrière (12) couvrant l'ouverture ronde du tambour rotatif (10),
caractérisé en ce que le séchoir à linge comprend un système de joint (16, 18) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13.

15. Séchoir à linge (1) selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un circuit d'air de séchage pour faire recirculer de façon cyclique de l'air sur le linge contenu à l'intérieur du tambour, ledit circuit d'air de séchage étant équipé d'un agencement de pompe à chaleur pour chauffer et éliminer l'humidité de l'air passé à travers le linge à sécher.

Drawing