EP0484889A1 - Drier with a condenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry drier with a condenser for separating moisture from steam-laden hot air which has flowed through the laundry to be dried is equipped with a condensate-collecting vessel (10) for collecting the condensate (20) separated by the condenser, the condensate-collecting vessel (10) being provided with an inlet for the condensate (20) and with a discharge orifice (18) closeable by a removable cover (14), the condensate-collecting vessel (10) being extractable from the laundry drier for the purpose of emptying the condensate (20). To simplify the design and production of the condensate-collecting vessel (10), it is proposed to provide the cover (14) with a trough-like recess (28), in which at least one orifice (36, 36') is provided, with the cover (14) closed the condensate (20) coming from the condenser being guided into the trough-like recess (18) and subsequently flowing through the at least one orifice (36, 36') into the condensate-collecting vessel (10). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a clothes dryer with a condenser for separating moisture from steam-laden warm air which has flowed through the laundry to be dried, with a condensate collecting container for collecting the condensate separated from the condenser, the condensate collecting container having an inlet for the condensate and a pouring opening which is provided with a removable cover, and the condensate collection container can be removed from the tumble dryer for emptying the condensate.

In such known tumble dryers, the condensate separated from the condenser from the steam-laden warm air flows through an inlet into the condensate collecting container. The inlet is provided with a closure mechanism which interacts with an actuating element at the outflow end of the condenser in such a way that when the condensate collection container is pushed into the tumble dryer, the closure mechanism opens the inlet or opens a corresponding inlet opening in the condensate collection container. If the condensate collection container is removed from the tumble dryer in order to empty the condensate, the locking mechanism closes the opening of the inlet.

After the filled condensate collection container has been removed from the tumble dryer, the lid, which tightly closes the pouring opening, must be removed to empty the condensate so that the condensate can flow out of the condensation collection container via this pouring opening.

A disadvantage of such a known condensate collection container is that two openings in the condensate collection container must be provided separately from one another, namely on the one hand the inlet opening and on the other hand the pouring opening, which necessitates corresponding expenditure in the production of the condensation collection container. Since every opening in a container now affects its stability, it is necessary to take this into account when manufacturing the condensate collection container in order to ensure that when the condensate collection container is removed from the tumble dryer for emptying, it does not deform.

It is also disadvantageous that two separate closure devices must be provided for closing the two openings, which is correspondingly complex and makes a correspondingly large number of storage of spare parts necessary for the manufacturer or dealer, since these parts are particularly stressed during handling.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy this situation and to provide a clothes dryer of the type mentioned at the outset with a condensate collection container which is of simpler construction and is easier to produce.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the lid, which covers the pouring opening, is provided with a trough-like depression, in which at least one opening is provided, the condensate coming from the condenser being passed into the trough-like depression and then through the at least one, serves as an inlet opening in the condensate collector.

The object is achieved completely according to the invention, since now only a single opening has to be provided in the condensate collection container, which serves as a pouring opening when emptying. The at least one opening provided in the trough-like recess of the cover serves as the inlet opening for the condensate. This means that the spout also serves as an inlet for the condensate. The amount of condensate per unit of time, for example per second, that occurs during a drying process is extremely small compared to the capacity of the condensate collection container. For example, in household laundry dryers, condensate quantities fall into the Size range from cubic centimeters per second, whereas a condensate collector has a capacity of several liters. It is therefore sufficient to form the at least one inlet opening with a much smaller inlet cross section than the pouring opening.

In the case of a condensate collection container which has a capacity of approximately 3 to 5 l, the diameter of an approximately circular pouring opening is approximately 5 cm, which is sufficient to empty a filled condensate collection container in approximately 10 to 20 seconds. The corresponding inlet requires a substantially smaller opening cross-section in order to allow the aforementioned amounts of condensate to pass through during a drying process. Accordingly, it is sufficient to provide a relatively small opening cross-section in the trough-like recess in the lid, which covers the pouring opening, in order to ensure that the entire amount of condensate accumulating can enter the condensate collection container. The trough-like depression can also serve as a collecting vessel for briefly occurring peak amounts of separated condensate, so that it is ensured that the amount of condensate emerging from the condenser flows completely into the condensate collecting container. The trough-like depression serves as an intermediate storage for peak values. Such a lid is very easy to manufacture in one operation, in particular as an injection molded part.

It was also found that during the removal process of the filled condensate collection container from the tumble dryer for emptying the condensate, this usually only has to be transported for a few seconds to the point at which the emptying process is to take place, usually a sink or a Bathtub. A condensate collector, which extends essentially in a horizontal plane and on the top of which the pouring opening is provided, is usually taken out approximately horizontally by the tumble dryer for emptying and fed to the corresponding point, that is to say the wash basin or the bathtub. Even if this is done relatively carelessly, with the amount of condensate held in the condensate collector sloshing back and forth, it is nevertheless impossible for remarkable amounts of condensate to pass through the relatively small opening cross section in the trough-like depression. This is due to the fact that the small passage cross section of the inlet opening in the trough-like depression of the amount of liquid opposes a considerable flow resistance. Should a certain amount of condensate nevertheless penetrate from the inside of the condensate collection container through the inlet opening, it remains in the trough-like depression, even if the condensate collection container is held somewhat obliquely. If a "wave crest" of the back and forth floating amount of condensate hits the inner side of the trough-like depression and some condensate penetrates through the small opening into the trough-like depression, in the subsequent phase of the "trough" of the back and forth floating amount of condensate, the If the amount of condensate that has penetrated flows back immediately into the condensate collection container. It is thus ensured that no condensate escapes from the tumble dryer to the emptying point during the transfer process, even if the handling is relatively careless.

It is also possible to transport the condensate collection container to the emptying point in an approximately vertical orientation.

This is possible, for example, in that a handle is arranged on one side of the condensate collection container, via which the condensate collection container can be gripped, after which it then hangs down approximately vertically from the handle. In this case, the pouring opening is provided near the handle and care is taken that the liquid level does not rise to the level of the opening in the trough-like depression when the condensate collection container is held vertically. This can be ensured, for example, that a level indicator is dimensioned such that if it indicates that an emptying process must be carried out, this can still be carried out with the condensate collection container held vertically.

In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of openings are provided in the side wall of the trough-like depression.

This measure has the advantage that numerous small openings are possible which oppose the condensate liquid floating back and forth in the condensate container with a considerable flow resistance. Because the openings are provided in the side wall, which is inclined towards the interior of the condensate collection container, the passage cross section of the openings in the horizontal direction is further reduced, ie it corresponds to the area of the horizontal projection of the inclined opening area. Due to the fact that a quantity of liquid wants to level off on a horizontal level due to the gravitational force of gravity, the quantity of condensate that swings back and forth in the condensate collection container has a high level of surface leveled in the horizontal direction. The one in the inclined Openings located on the side face the liquid leveled in this way with such a high penetration resistance that at most small amounts can pass through the openings. Comparative tests have shown that a single hole-like opening in a horizontally extending top wall of the condensate collection container causes fountain-like condensate escapes if the amount of liquid sloshes back and forth in the condensate collection container. In the case of a trough-like depression, which has numerous small openings in its side walls, the overall cross-section of which corresponds to the cross-section of the opening mentioned above, it was found that even with strong back and forth swabs only so little amount of condensate liquid penetrates through the openings into the trough-like depression that this can in any case be taken up by the trough-like depression, in which case, as previously mentioned, this amount of liquid can immediately flow back into the condensate collection container in a wave trough.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of openings are designed in the form of circumferentially distributed slots which extend in the sinking direction of the trough-like depression.

This measure has the advantage that the slots oppose the condensate received in the condensate collector a considerable resistance to leakage, but ensure that the amount of liquid flowing into the trough-like depression from the condenser can pass evenly distributed in the radial direction into the interior of the condensate collector.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the trough-like depression is cylindrical with a flat bottom that runs approximately parallel to the condensate surface.

This measure has the advantage that the openings in the cylindrical side wall extend approximately perpendicular to the surface of the condensate, thus counteracting the floating quantity of liquid with the approximately horizontal surface a considerable resistance to penetration. The closed bottom also prevents the aforementioned fountain-like discharge of condensate.

In a further embodiment, the slots extend into the floor.

This measure has the advantage that the slots in the cylindrical side wall are very easy to produce by injection molding, i.e. in the injection mold, at the points where the slits are to be formed, there are spikes which can remain when the molded cover is removed, which greatly simplifies production.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pouring opening is arranged in the vicinity of the side of the condensate collection container on which it is provided with a handle, and the trough-like depression is arranged in the edge region of the pouring opening closest to this side.

This measure has the advantage that the trough-like depression comes to lie as close as possible to the edge region on which the handle is arranged, via which the condensate collection container in in a vertical orientation. It is then possible to utilize the container volume almost completely without the risk of condensate escaping from the container during vertical transport.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the trough-like recess on the side of the cover facing the interior of the condensate collection container is surrounded by a baffle.

This measure has the advantage that the amount of condensate sloshing back and forth before it hits the trough-like depression on the inside of the cover first hits the baffle wall and is deflected by it. The amount of condensate liquid that flows around the baffle and hits the trough-like depression is very small and has a lower speed component in the direction of the opening in the trough-like depression than would be the case with a condensate liquid that would not hit the trough-like depression without a baffle Deepening meets. This then ensures that even if the condensate liquid sloshes back and forth extremely quickly, no fountain-like exit from the opening in the trough-like depression can take place.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the baffle is designed as a cylindrical wall projecting from the underside of the cover, the longitudinal extent of which corresponds at least to the recess depth of the trough-like depression.

This measure has the advantage that the trough-like depression is protected all round and over its entire recess depth by the baffle wall, thereby preventing condensate from escaping. In addition, such a baffle is easy to manufacture in terms of production technology, in particular if the cover is designed as an injection molded part, the baffle then being integrally formed during the injection molding process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover has a funnel-shaped section, the tapering of which leads to at least one opening in the trough-like depression.

This measure has the advantage that the liquid coming from the condenser is guided through the funnel-shaped section into the trough-like depression.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one opening in the trough-like recess can be closed with a locking mechanism carried by the cover.

This measure has the advantage that the inlet opening can be closed tightly when the condensate collection container is removed, so that the condensate collection container can also be transported upright after removal, the spout opening arranged on the top then coming to a side and below the level of the amount of condensate liquid can be arranged in the collecting container.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the locking mechanism has a plunger plate which is displaceable against spring force and which has an actuating element is operatively connected such that the plate closes the opening as soon as the condensate collection container is removed from the actuating element.

This known measure has the advantage that the inlet opening is automatically closed by the tumble dryer when the condensate collection container is removed, so that no care must be taken by the user to ensure that the inlet opening is completely closed.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the lid is provided with a radially projecting strip, via the end of which is located at a distance from the lid and is connected to the condensate collection container.

This measure has the advantage that the lid is held captively on the condensate collecting container after removal from the pouring opening, which in turn makes handling easier.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided to arrange the inlet opening on the top of an approximately cuboid condensate collection container and to arrange the end to which the strip of the cover is attached on a side which is approximately perpendicular thereto.

This measure has the advantage that the fastening point of the strip is arranged on a side surface which is angled with respect to the surface on which the pouring opening is provided. The strip therefore runs over an edge of the approximately cuboid condensate collection container. The strip is therefore arched when the lid is closed. Due to the correspondingly rigid design of the material, the strip tends, after the cover has been removed from the pouring opening, to to extend, in which case the lid is automatically moved away from the pouring opening.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a groove is provided in the condensate collection container in the region of the pouring opening, which is connected to a side wall of the condensate collection container, the groove having such a width and depth that the cover is completely accommodated in the groove, wherein an area of the groove located next to the cover serves as an overflow for excess condensate.

This measure has the advantage that the cover received in the groove does not extend beyond the outer contour of the condensate collection container, so that the cover cannot be damaged or removed when the condensate collection container is pulled out or pushed into the tumble dryer. Because the groove is connected to a side wall and also has a region located next to the lid, excess condensate that can no longer be accommodated in the condensate collection container can be passed through this groove and via the side wall with which it is connected. expire. Corresponding outlet openings are then provided on the tumble dryer in order to enable the condensate drain. An excess amount of condensate can occur, for example, if the condensate collection container is completely filled and is not emptied despite the level indicators. This does not interfere with the operation of the tumble dryer as such, since the condensate separated from the condenser can then be discharged via the overflow.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a vent hole to the interior of the condensate collection container is provided in the groove, through which a strip of the cover runs at a distance.

This measure has the advantage that the vent hole, which is used to equalize pressure or air in the interior of the condensate collection container, is covered by the strip of the cover running at a distance from it such that no font-like condensate escapes through the vent hole are possible. Because the hole is arranged in the groove, condensate escaping from the interior of the condensate container via the vent hole can run off via the groove, which is connected to an outside.

Further advantages result from the description and the attached drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1

eine abschnittsweise teilweise geschnittene perspektivische Ansicht eines Kondensatsammelbehälters im Bereich der Ausgußöffnung;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf den in Fig. 1 dargestellten Deckel zum Verschließen der Ausgußöffnung;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt längs der Linie III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine der Darstellung von Fig. 2 entsprechende Draufsicht auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Deckels zum Verschließen der Ausgußöffnung des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Kondensatsammelbehälters;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt längs der Linie V-V in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung, teilweise im Schnitt, eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels, und

Fig. 7

eine ausschnittsweise Draufsicht auf den Kondensatsammelbehälter von Fig. 6.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a partially sectioned perspective view of a condensate collection container in the region of the pouring opening;

Fig. 2

a plan view of the lid shown in Figure 1 for closing the pouring spout;

Fig. 3

a section along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

a plan view corresponding to the representation of Figure 2 of a further embodiment of a lid for closing the pouring opening of the condensate collection container shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5

a section along the line VV in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

an exploded view, partly in section, of another embodiment, and

Fig. 7

6 shows a sectional plan view of the condensate collection container from FIG. 6.

A condensate collection container 10 shown in FIG. 1, which has an approximately cuboid body made of plastic, is provided on its top 12 with a lid 14.

The lid 14 serves to close a pouring opening 18, which is surrounded by a flange 16, in the top 12 of the condensate collection container.

The condensate collection container 10 serves to receive a condensate 20.

The condensate 20 consists of water which comes from a condenser 52 (see FIG. 3) which is arranged in a clothes dryer, not shown here. The condenser 52 is flowed through by warm steam-laden air which, after being heated by a heating register of the tumble dryer, has previously flowed through the laundry to be dried. In the condenser, the moisture is separated from the warm, steam-laden air by means of a coolant and flows out at the lower end of the condenser 52 as condensate 20.

The cover 14 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a body in the form of a curved disc 22, the underside 24 of which is provided with a circumferential annular flange 26. The annular flange 26 is designed such that when the cover 14 is pressed onto the flange 16 encircling the pouring opening 18, it overlaps it and seals it in a liquid-tight manner. For this purpose, the cover 14 is made of an elastic plastic material, so that the inner circumferential end of the annular flange 26, which has a slightly smaller diameter than the outer circumferential edge of the flange 16, can be slid over the latter in a manner known per se. It can also be provided to provide a seal on the inside of the cover 14 around the flange 26.

A trough-like depression 28 is provided in the curved disk 22 and extends away from the underside 24 of the curved disk 22.

The trough-like depression 28 has a cylindrical wall 30 which extends approximately at right angles to the underside 24.

The trough-like depression 28 is provided with a flat bottom 32.

In the cylindrical wall 30, eight slots 36, 36 '... distributed uniformly over the circumference are provided. The slots 36, 36 ′ extend, viewed in the direction of the cylinder axis of the cylindrical wall 30, over the bottom half of the wall into the bottom 32. This is done for reasons of injection technology, since the cover 14 can then simply be pulled off in the longitudinal direction of the spikes at the locations of the slots 36, 36 'during manufacture.

The diameter of the pouring opening 18 is approximately 5 cm, the diameter of the trough-like recess 28 is approximately 1.5 cm. The trough-like depression 28 extends approximately 1.5 cm away from the underside 24 of the cover 14.

The slots 36, 36 'have a length of approximately 5 mm and a width of approximately 3 mm.

A strip 38 extends radially from the edge of the disk 22, the distal end 40 of which is provided with a stopper 42, by means of which the cover 14 can be fastened in a corresponding hole or a blind hole opening in the upper side 12 of the condensate collection container 10.

At the circumferential point opposite the strip 38, the disk 22 is provided with a grip tab 14 which facilitates the removal of the cover 14 from the flange 16.

So that the strip 38 tends to move the lid 14 away from the pouring opening 18, the stopper 42 can be attached at a location 46 which is arranged on a side wall 48 running perpendicular to the upper side 12. The cover 14 can then be pivoted downward due to the force of gravity by correspondingly rotatable mounting of the plug 42.

1 shows a situation in which the condensate collecting container 10 filled with condensate 20 has already been removed from the corresponding clothes dryer and the lid 14 has been lifted off the flange 16 encircling the pouring opening 18. The condensate 20 can then be emptied through the pouring opening 18 by tilting the condensate collection container.

After the emptying process, the lid 14 is pressed back onto the flange 16 and the emptied condensate collection container 10 is pushed into the tumble dryer.

The region of the trough-like depression 28 which is open at the top comes to lie directly below an outlet opening of the condenser 52, as is shown in FIG. 3. The condensate flowing out of the condenser 52 then enters directly into the trough-like depression 28 and can then enter the interior of the condensate collection container 10 through the lateral slots 36, 36 ', as is indicated in FIG. 3 by the flow arrows 50, 51.

A further exemplary embodiment of a cover 54 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be used instead of the cover 14 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for closing the condensate collection container 10.

The disc-shaped cover 54 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in deviation from the cover described above, has a trough-like depression in the form of a funnel 56. The cover 54 is provided on its circumferential underside with an annular flange 58 which, as described above, cooperates with the flange 16 surrounding the pouring opening 18.

Likewise, the cover 54 is provided with a grip tab 60 and, diametrically opposite, with a strip 62, via the plug 64 of which the cover 54 can be connected to the condensate collection container 10.

At the upper end, the funnel 56 is provided with three struts 66, 67, 68, each offset by 120 °, which support a ring 70 in the middle.

At its lower end, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the ring is provided with a shoulder 72 projecting into its interior.

The ring 70 serves to receive a plunger 74 which is provided with a plate 76 at its lower end. At its upper end, the plunger 74 is provided with an enlarged head 78, the underside of which serves as an abutment for a spring 80, which is supported on the shoulder 72 at the opposite end.

The compression spring 80 tends to move the plunger 74 upward in the illustration in FIG. 5, the plate 76 being placed against the lower opening 84 of the funnel 56 from below. A seal 81 in the form of an annular disk 82 is provided in the ring region in which the plate 76 lies at the opening 84.

FIG. 5 shows a situation in which the cover 54 is pressed onto a flange 16 of a condensate collection container 10 shown in FIG. 1, the latter not being shown for reasons of clarity. The corresponding condensate collection container is inserted into a tumble dryer. The funnel 56 comes to rest directly below an outlet end 88 of a condenser 90. The end 88 is provided with an actuating element 92 in the form of a web 94. The web 94 interacts with the head 78 in such a way that when the condensate collecting container is pushed into the tumble dryer, the head 78 or the tappet 74 connected to it is pressed down, the plate 76 moving away from the lower opening 84 of the funnel 56. As a result, condensate emerging from the end 88 of the condenser 90 can then flow via the funnel 56 and through its opening 84 into the interior of the condensate collection container, as is shown by the flow arrows 96, 96 '.

If the condensate collection container is moved away from the end 88, the spring 80 pushes the plunger 74 upwards until the plate 76 lies sealingly against the opening 84 via the annular disk 28. The tightly closed condensate collection container can then be transported upright.

In a further exemplary embodiment of a condensate collection container 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a groove 104 is provided on the upper side 102 thereof.

In the area of the groove 104, a pouring opening 106 is provided, which is surrounded by a flange 108, as was previously described in the exemplary embodiment in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3.

The groove 104 is arranged in the vicinity of one side 115 of the approximately cuboid condensate collection container 100, a tab 116 being integrally formed on the side 115, to which a handle (not shown here) can be attached. As previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover 110 consists of a plastic injection-molded part with an approximately disk-shaped body, the disk surface of which, however, is designed as a funnel 120, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 6. The lid 110 is connected to a strip 112, by means of which the lid 110, as previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, can be attached to the condensate collecting container 100 by means of a plug 42. The groove 104 has such a width and depth that the cover 110 together with the strip 112 can be received therein. As a result, the attached cover 110 does not protrude beyond the upper side 102 of the condensate collection container 100.

The trough-like depression 118 on the underside of the cover 110 is designed in the same way as the trough-like depression described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3, but here the openings 119 extend over the entire length of the cylindrical body.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 7, the trough-like depression 118 is arranged in the edge region of the cover 110 and thus also in the edge region of the pouring opening 106, it being displaced in the direction of the tab 116.

If the condensate collection container 100 is carried in a vertical orientation, in which case the tab 116 comes to rest at the upper end of the hanging condensate collection container 100, the condensate liquid in the condensate collection container 100 can reach the opening 119, as is indicated in FIG. 7, without there is a risk of condensate escaping.

A baffle 122 extends from the underside of the cover 110 (see FIG. 6) and surrounds the trough-like depression 118, the free end of the baffle wall 122 being approximately at the level of the bottom of the trough-like depression 118.

Condensate liquid sloshing sideways onto the trough-like depression 118 is deflected downward from the cylindrical baffle 122, that is to say into the interior of the condensate collecting container 100, so that no, or at most little and only indifferently directed condensate liquid can hit the openings 119 when sloshing back and forth. and exits through this. As described above in connection with the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, this leaked liquid can immediately come back into the condensate collection container 100 at the next wave trough of the back and forth sloshing liquid.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 7, the groove 104 extends to one side of the condensate collection container 100, so that if the condensate collection container 100 is completely filled with condensate, seal off excess condensate laterally from the condensate collection container 100 via the groove 104.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, a vent hole 114 is provided in the area of the groove 104 in which the strip 112 comes to rest. The ventilation hole 114, as can be seen from the top view of FIG. 7, is covered by the strip 112 when the cover 110 is inserted, but this is arranged at a distance above the ventilation hole 114, so that pressure or air equalization in the interior of the condensate collection container 100 is possible. This arrangement also ensures that no fountain-like leakage of condensate can occur through the vent hole 114. Condensate that has escaped through the vent hole 114 can drain through the groove 104.

Claims (15)

Clothes dryer with a condenser (90) for separating moisture from steam-laden warm air which has flowed through the laundry to be dried, with a condensate collection container (10, 100) for collecting the condensate (20) separated by the condenser (90), the condensate collection container ( 10, 100) has an inlet for the condensate (20) and a pouring opening (18, 106) which has a removable cover (14, 54, 110), and wherein the condensate collection container (10, 100) for emptying the condensate (20) can be removed from the tumble dryer, characterized in that the cover (14, 54, 110), which covers the pouring opening (18, 106), is provided with a trough-like recess (28, 56, 118) in which at least an opening (36, 36 '; 84, 119) is provided, the condensate (20) coming from the condenser (90) being directed into the trough-like depression (18, 56, 118) and then through the at least one opening (36, 36 '; 84, 119) in de n Condensate collection container (10, 100) occurs. Clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one opening (36, 36 '; 119) is provided in a side wall (30) of the trough-like recess (28, 118). Clothes dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of openings are formed in the form of circumferentially distributed slots (36, 36 '; 119) which extend in the sinking direction of the trough-like depression (28, 118). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the trough-like depression (28, 118) has a cylindrical wall (30) with a flat bottom (32) which runs approximately parallel to the condensate surface. Clothes dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that the slots (36, 36 '; 119) extend into the bottom (32). Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pouring opening (18, 106) is arranged in the vicinity of the side (115) of the condensate collection container (10, 100) on which the latter is provided with a carrying handle, and in that the trough-like depression (18, 118) is arranged in the edge region of the pouring opening (18, 106) closest to this side (115). Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the trough-like depression (18, 118) on the side of the cover (110) facing the interior of the condensate collection container (10, 100) is surrounded by a baffle wall (122). Clothes dryer according to claim 7, characterized in that the baffle wall (122) is designed as a cylindrical wall projecting from the underside of the cover (110), the longitudinal extent of which corresponds at least to the recess depth of the trough-like depression (118). Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (54, 110) has a funnel-shaped section (56, 120), the tapering of which leads to at least one opening (84, 119) in the trough-like recess (118). Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one opening (84) can be closed by a closure mechanism carried by the cover (54). Clothes dryer according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking mechanism has a plunger plate (74, 76) which can be displaced against the force of a spring (80) and is operatively connected to an actuating element (92) in such a way that the plate (76) opens the opening ( 84) closes if the condensate collection container (10) is removed from the actuating element (92). Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover (14, 15, 110) is provided with a radially projecting strip (38, 62, 112) over which is located at a distance from the cover (14, 54, 110) The end (40) of the latter is connected to the condensate collection container (10, 100). Clothes dryer according to claim 12, characterized in that the pouring opening (18) is arranged on an upper side (12) of an approximately cuboid condensate collecting container (10), and in that the end (40) of the strip (38, 62) is located on an approximately perpendicular to it Page (48) is arranged. Clothes dryer according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the condensate collection container (100) in the region of the pouring opening (106) there is a groove (104) which is connected to a side wall of the condensate collection container (100), the groove ( 104) has a width and depth such that the cover (110) is completely accommodated in the groove (104), an area of the groove (104) located next to the cover (110) serving as an overflow for excess condensate. Clothes dryer according to claim 14, characterized in that a vent hole (114) to the interior of the condensate collecting container (100) is provided in the groove (104), over which a strip (112) of the cover (110) extends at a distance.

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