Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
  • D06F37/28—Doors; Security means therefor
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a front-loading laundry washing machine for household use, in particular a washing or washing/drying machine, according to the preamble of claim 1.
• the present invention also relates to a washing agent dispenser for said laundry washing machine.
• the invention is applicable to the field of front-loading laundry washing machines for household use, in particular washing or washing/drying machines, wherein the dispenser of washing agents (detergent, softener, bleach, etc.) is located in the door that closes the load opening of the machine.
• washing agents detergent, softener, bleach, etc.
• a door is used for closing the load opening, through which the laundry to be washed is placed into a drum rotating inside a wash tub.
• the door usually includes a transparent porthole glass, which allows the user to see the internal portion of the rotary drum and the laundry loaded therein.
• Patent GB2029862 discloses a door for front-loading laundry washing machines for household use that comprises a porthole glass within which a washing agent dispenser is provided.
• the porthole glass is equipped with a housing wherein an extractable dispenser is inserted, which is shaped like a small basket open on top.
• washing agent dispenser built in the porthole glass may cause leakage of said washing agents onto the floor in front of the washing machine, especially when the user pours into the dispenser a quantity of washing agents in excess of the maximum allowable or recommended level. This drawback is particularly critical when liquid detergents or additives are used.
• washing agent dispenser built in the porthole glass does not allow the user to adequately see the internal portion of the rotary drum and the laundry loaded therein.
• washing machines described in the above-mentioned documents (see also, for example, patent EP 1951947) compel the user to stay in a rather uncomfortable position to pour the washing agents into the respective dispenser, since the latter is in a relatively low and/or ergonomically unfavourable position; in such washing machines, it is also quite difficult and uncomfortable to pour the exact dose of washing agent into the dispenser.
• Washing machines are also known wherein the washing agent dispenser is permanently associated with the washing machine; however, these washing machines have drawbacks as well, in that pouring the washing agents into the dispenser often turns out to be a difficult, time-consuming and uncomfortable task.
• said washing agent loading operation can only be carried out by keeping the door of the washing machine in the open position; this inevitably implies that much room is needed to be able to load the washing agents, which room is often lacking in modern homes.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, in particular a laundry washing machine, which comprises a dispenser of washing agents and/or additives which can be cleaned extremely easily by the user of the machine.
• the present invention provides a front-loading laundry washing machine for household use, in particular a washing or washing/drying machine, incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a front-loading laundry washing machine for household use, in particular a washing or washing/drying machine, according to the present invention
• Figs. 2a and 2b are sectional views of a detail of the laundry washing machine of Fig. 1 , respectively in a first and a second operating conditions;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an element of the front-loading laundry washing machine for household use, in particular a washing or washing/drying machine, according to the present invention
• Figs. 4a and 4b show a sectional view and a partial view, respectively, of a variant of a door of the laundry washing machine according to the present invention.
• Fig. 1 shows, designated as a whole by reference numeral 1, a front-loading laundry washing machine for household use, in particular a washing or washing/drying machine, according to the present invention.
• the washing machine 1 comprises a cabinet 2 within which a wash tub 3 is arranged in a known manner. Inside the latter, a drum 4 of a known type, in particular a perforated one, is rotated about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis X.
• the laundry to be washed is placed inside the drum 4 through a load opening 5 associated with a front part 21 of the cabinet 2.
• the axis X of the drum 4 is preferably slightly inclined, in that it is raised towards the front part 21 of the cabinet; this allows a user to load the laundry into the drum 4 more easily.
• the load opening 5 is closed by a door 6 comprising a porthole glass 61 made of transparent material and a frame 62 supporting said porthole glass 61 (advantageously made of plastic material, such as, for example, ABS or SAN or polycarbonate), said porthole glass 61 preferably protruding in the direction of the axis X of the drum 4 with respect to the frame 62 in order to facilitate the upward movement of the laundry during the rotation steps of the drum 4.
• a door 6 comprising a porthole glass 61 made of transparent material and a frame 62 supporting said porthole glass 61 (advantageously made of plastic material, such as, for example, ABS or SAN or polycarbonate), said porthole glass 61 preferably protruding in the direction of the axis X of the drum 4 with respect to the frame 62 in order to facilitate the upward movement of the laundry during the rotation steps of the drum 4.
• a door 6 comprising a porthole glass 61 made of transparent material and a frame 62 supporting said porthole glass 61 (
• said frame 62 comprises a housing 8 adapted to receive a washing agent dispenser 7, said dispenser 7 being extractable from said housing 8.
• Said housing 8 is preferably obtained in the frame 62 of the door 6, above said porthole glass 61.
• the housing 8 is located in the door 6, in particular on the surface of said door 6 facing the wash tub 3, the invention should not be considered to be subject to any limitations in this respect.
• the housing may also be obtained inside the cabinet 2, e.g. in a recess accessible from the top wall or from the front wall of the washing machine 1 ; in this latter case, the housing may be either visible or hidden behind the door, when this is in the closed position.
• the washing machine 1 comprises a single extractable dispenser 7
• the washing machine 1 comprises a plurality of extractable dispensers, in particular from two to four extractable dispensers, each one dedicated to a particular washing agent or additive to be loaded into the washing machine 1. It is also possible to combine the presence of the extractable dispenser 7 with the presence of other fixed dispensers inside the washing machine 1.
• washing agent dispenser 7 allows to provide a washing machine 1 that allows the user to adequately see the inner portion of the drum 4 and of the laundry loaded therein, since the porthole glass 61 does not house the washing agent dispenser 7.
• the special arrangement of the dispenser 7 according to the present invention allows the washing agents to be easily and comfortably poured into said dispenser 7; it should be noted, in fact, that this can also be done with the door 6 of the washing machine 1 closed, thus avoiding taking up much room when loading said washing agents.
• the washing agents can be poured into the dispenser 7 indifferently with the door 6 open or closed, because it is sufficient to extract the dispenser 7 from the housing 8 and then fill it with washing agents.
• the door 6 must be opened to extract and re-position the dispenser 7 after having filled it with washing agent or additive.
• the washing machine 1 also comprises a hydraulic system 9, preferably arranged in an upper part 22 of the cabinet 2, which is adapted to carry water from a solenoid valve (connected to the household water main) to a nozzle 91 adapted to precipitate the water into the dispenser 7.
• a solenoid valve connected to the household water main
• Figs. 2a and 2b show sectional views of the dispenser 7 and housing 8 in a first and a second operating conditions, respectively.
• the dispenser 7 and the housing 8 comprise junction means 71, 81 adapted to allow the dispenser 7 to be coupled to the housing 8 as well as to allow the washing agents contained in the dispenser 7 to pass through and reach the wash tub 3; the washing agents may be delivered into the tub 3 either directly or through a pipe (not shown in the drawings) starting from the housing 8 and ending into the tub 3, said pipe preferably comprising a first portion integral with the door 6 and a second portion integral with the cabinet 2, said first and second pipe portions being connected by means of a fitting located in correspondence of one of the hinges that link the door 6 to the cabinet 2.
• said junction means comprise a male element 81 associated with said housing 8 and a valve 71 associated with said dispenser 7; in particular, said male element 81 is associated with a lower portion 8 A of said housing 8, and said valve 71 is associated with a bottom portion 7A of said dispenser 7.
• Said male element 81 comprises at least one aperture 82 (e.g. a pair of symmetrical apertures) that communicates with a duct 83 extending along the body of the male element 81.
• said male element 81 has a substantially truncated-cone shape.
• the valve 71 of the dispenser 7 comprises:
• a seat 72 adapted to receive said male element 81 , said seat 72 being delimited by at least one wall 73 and a cover 74, said at least one wall 73 including at least one passage 73A in the proximity of said bottom portion 7A of the dispenser 7;
• a shutter 75 slidable relative to the cover 74 in a direction defined by the contact between a first surface (e.g. a cylindrical inner surface) integral with the cover 74 and a second surface (e.g. a cylindrical outer surface) integral with the shutter 75;
• a first surface e.g. a cylindrical inner surface
• a second surface e.g. a cylindrical outer surface
• an elastic element 76 e.g. a spring, positioned between said cover 74 and said shutter 75 and constrained to a groove integral with the shutter 75.
• the elastic element 76 allows the shutter 75 to remain in contact with the bottom portion 7A of said dispenser 7, thus shutting said at least one passage 73A obtained on said at least one wall 73.
• Fig. 2b schematically shows the condition of the junction means according to the present invention when the dispenser 7 is inside the housing 8.
• the male element 81 is inserted in the seat 72 and contacts the shutter 75, in particular a base 75 A of the shutter 75, thus causing it to move towards the cover 74 by overcoming the resistance of the elastic element 76.
• the dispenser 7 and/or the housing 8 comprise means (not shown) for firmly holding the dispenser 7 within the housing 8, in the operating condition shown in Fig. 2b. Said movement of the shutter 75 opens the passage 73A and allows the washing agents, possibly mixed with water coming from the nozzle 91, to enter the duct 83 of the male element 81 through:
• said at least one passage 73A is positioned on the wall 73 so as to match at least partially said at least one aperture 82 in the condition shown in Fig. 2b.
• Fig. 2b the path followed by the washing agents when passing from the dispenser 7 to the duct 83 is shown by means of dashed arrows.
• said cover 74 is substantially U-shaped and faces the bottom portion 7A of the dispenser 7; the particular shape of the cover 74 allows it both to contain said elastic element 76 and to create a sort of guide for the movement of the shutter 75, when the dispenser 7 is inside the housing 8 and the male element 81 is inserted in the seat 72.
• the shape coupling between the shutter 75 and the cover 74 is such that it prevents or counters any leaks of washing agents seeping into the volume comprised between the shutter 75 and the cover 74, i.e. the action volume of the elastic element 76. Aiming at further improving the sealing against such leaks, the shutter 75 or the cover 74 may be fitted with a gasket (not shown in the drawings), e.g. a ring-type gasket.
• junction means 71, 81 allows to obtain an effective coupling between the dispenser 7 and the housing 8, so as to facilitate the introduction of the washing agents into the wash tub 3 and into the drum 4.
• the door 6 of the washing machine 1 comprises connection means (not shown in the drawings) for hydraulically connecting the washing agent dispenser 7 to the wash tub 3, said connection means being hydraulically connected to an intake hole (also not shown in the drawings) provided on the wash tub 3, e.g. through a duct preferably made of elastic material, e.g. rubber.
• Said connection means ensure a continuous connection between the dispenser 7 and the wash tub 3, both when the door 6 is closed and when the door 6 is open.
• said male element 81 comprises an extension 84 that allows establishing the connection between the housing 8 and said connection means.
• valve 71 shown by way of example in Figs. 2a and 2b must be intended as an non-limiting explanatory example of a valve adapted to retain the washing agent present in the dispenser 7 when the dispenser 7 is extracted from the housing, and to release the washing agent present in the dispenser 7 when the latter is inserted in the housing 8.
• the dispenser 7 it is for example conceivable to provide the dispenser 7 with a movable bottom driven by pressure against suitable strikers arranged in the housing.
• Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the dispenser 7 according to the present invention.
• said dispenser 7 comprises at least one handle 77 which allows a user to grip and move said dispenser 7 in a simple and effective manner.
• said handle 77 is positioned near an upper edge 7B of the dispenser 7.
• said dispenser 7 comprises measuring means 78, in particular a graduated scale, which allow the user to pour in an adequate quantity of washing agents.
• measuring means 78 in particular a graduated scale, which allow the user to pour in an adequate quantity of washing agents.
• the dispenser 7 is made of transparent material.
• the dispenser 7 may also comprise multiple graduated scales, e.g. in order to consider different types of washing agents and/or additives or different units of measure.
• the handle 77 may incorporate a magnifying lens to facilitate the reading of the measuring means 78.
• said dispenser 7 has a substantially semicylindrical shape and comprises a first side surface 7C which is substantially flat and a second side surface 7D which is curved; the particular shape of the dispenser 7 allows to provide a container that can be easily filled with washing agents while at the same time being associated with the door 6 of the washing machine 1, without taking up too much room inside the wash tub 3.
• washing agent dispenser 7 allows to provide a washing machine 1 that allows the user to adequately see the inner portion of the drum 4 and of the laundry loaded therein, since the porthole glass 61 does not house the washing agent dispenser 7.
• the special design of the dispenser 7 according to the present invention allows the washing agents to be easily and comfortably poured into said dispenser 7; in fact, in order to load washing agents into the machine 1 according to the present invention, it is sufficient to extract the dispenser 7 from the housing 8, fill it with washing agents, and then put it again into the housing 8.
• the shape of the dispenser 7 as shown in Fig. 3 offers the advantage that it is particularly suited to loading washing agents and/or additives of any type.
• the washing agent is a powder
• the user can extract the dispenser 7 from the machine 1 and use it to take a measured quantity of washing powder directly from the bin.
• the washing agent is a liquid
• the user can pour the liquid washing agent into the dispenser 7 from the bottle without extracting the dispenser 7 from the machine 1 , or may extract the dispenser 7 from the machine 1 and then fill it by holding the dispenser 7 with one hand and the washing agent bottle with the other hand.
• Operations carried out with the door 6 open such as, for example, introducing the dispenser 7 into the housing 8 or loading liquid washing agents when the dispenser 7 is inside the housing 8, are particularly easy in the example shown in Fig. 1, since the upper profile of the door 6 is shaped in such a manner as to not interfere with such operations.
• junction means 71, 81 ensures an effective coupling between the dispenser 7 and the housing 8, thus facilitating the introduction of the washing agents into the wash tub 3.
• a further advantage of the laundry washing machine 1 according to the present invention is that the arrangement of the washing agent dispenser 7 inside the housing 8 reduces the percolation or dripping of water from the door 6 when the latter is opened. Also, the height at which the housing 8 is located makes the interaction between the user of the washing machine 1 and the dispenser 7 particularly comfortable and ergonomical.
• connection means for hydraulically connecting the washing agent dispenser 7 to the wash tub 3 allow to eliminate any risk of washing agent leakage, e.g. compared with the washing machine described in patent EP 1951947.
• the provision of said connection means allows all the washing agent placed in the dispenser 7 to enter directly into the tub 3 even after opening the door 6. This prevents water, possibly with a washing agent dissolved therein, from percolating onto the floor in front of the washing machine, as opposed to what happens, especially at the end of a wash cycle, in prior-art washing machines such as, for example, the washing machine described in patent EP1951947.
• the dispenser 7 is very easy to clean, thanks both to easiness of extraction and the small dimensions of the dispenser 7.
• FIGs. 4a and 4b show a sectional view and a partial view, respectively, of the door 6 according to the present invention.
• said door 6 comprises a frame 62' in which a recess-like housing 8' is obtained, which is adapted to receive the washing agent dispenser 7, said dispenser 7 being extractable from said recess-like housing 8' by subjecting the dispenser 7 to at least one turning movement (see arrow A in Fig. 4a and the dashed outline of the dispenser 7) and to at least one lifting movement (see arrow B in Fig. 4a).
• sequence of said turning and lifting movements to extract the dispenser 7 from the recess-like housing 8' may vary, in particular depending on the depth of said recess-like housing 8' in said frame 62'.
• the extraction of the dispenser 7 will occur through a first turning movement A and a second lifting movement B.
• the extraction of the dispenser 7 will occur through a first lifting movement B, a second turning movement A, and possibly a third lifting movement B.
• the frame 62' may comprise at least one notch 63' in communication with the recess-like housing 8', which allows the dispenser 7 to be grasped more easily when it is inside said recess-like housing 8', the dispenser 7 being anyway easy to grip due to the presence of the handle 77.
• the washing machine 1 comprises a hydraulic system 9 (not shown in Figs. 4a and 4b because it substantially corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1), which is preferably positioned in said upper part 22 of the cabinet 2 and which is adapted to carry water from the household water main to a nozzle (also not shown in Figs. 4a and 4b) placed in the door 6 of the washing machine 1, above the housing 8', and adapted to precipitate the water into the dispenser 7.
• a hydraulic system 9 (not shown in Figs. 4a and 4b because it substantially corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1), which is preferably positioned in said upper part 22 of the cabinet 2 and which is adapted to carry water from the household water main to a nozzle (also not shown in Figs. 4a and 4b) placed in the door 6 of the washing machine 1, above the housing 8', and adapted to precipitate the water into the dispenser 7.
• the washing machine 1 according to the variant shown in Figs. 4a and 4b comprises a system (not shown in the drawings) for automatically moving the dispenser 7 with respect to the housing 8', so that the above-described turning movement A is executed automatically when opening or closing the door 6, said moving system being preferably mechanical and comprising a fixed or mobile striker on the wall of the cabinet 2 in front of the dispenser 7.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=43738401

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2010
  • 2010-10-27 IT IT000862A patent/ITTO20100862A1/it unknown
• 2011
  • 2011-10-25 WO PCT/IB2011/054762 patent/WO2012056400A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-10-25 EP EP11805189.5A patent/EP2633115B1/de active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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