WO2008080797A1

WO2008080797A1 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2008080797A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/063926
Authority: WO
Inventors: Korhan Ozkalay
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-14
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-29
Also published as: EP2102404B1; EP2102404A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) comprising a dispenser (2) enabling to place the washing agents therein and cleaning thereof to be performed with ease.

Description

Description A WASHER/DRYER

[0001] The present invention relates to a washer/dryer comprising a dispenser wherein washing agents can be placed and that can be cleaned easily.

[0002] In state of the art washer/dryers, cleaning agent dispensers of complex configuration are used that is hard to detach from the washer/dryer wherein the amount of the cleaning agent is measured by a measuring cup to be filled therein. Problems are encountered such as spilling of the washing agent while filling, not being able to detach the dispenser for cleaning with this type of configuration.

[0003] Various implementations are developed in state of the art for the solution of these problems. In state of the art Great Britain Patent No GBl 168562, a washer is explained comprising a detergent dispenser having a removably mounted lid that can be used as a measure.

[0004] In the state of the art International Patent Application No WO0220893, a washing material dispenser which comprises single use one or more detergent containing cartridges that alleviate the need for a measure is explained.

[0005] In another state of the art United States of America Patent Application No

US5836180, a removable dispenser cup is described that is used as a measuring cup for dispensing wash additives. The dispenser is shaped as a C and when mounting the open orifice facing upwards aligns with a water inlet and the entry and exit to the dispenser is provided through this orifice. However, in this application the entry and exit of water and cleaning agents from the same orifice may result in delivering the cleaning agents into the washer/dryer without dissolving adequately. On the other hand, the C shape of the dispenser may lead to unwanted spilling of cleaning agents contained therein when used as a measuring cup.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer comprising a dispenser wherein the processes of filling in with washing agents and cleaning thereof can be performed easily.

[0007] The washer/dryer realized in order to aim of the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The washing agent dispenser of the washer/dryer comprises a lid that covers the outlet of the dispenser wherefrom the water - cleaning agent mixture discharges. The lid is in the closed position when the dispenser is detached from the washer/dryer. When the dispenser is mounted into the washer/dryer, the lid resumes the open position allowing discharge of the detergent mixed with water to be used in the washing process.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer comprises an opening/closing mechanism that activates the lid. At least one lever arm is disposed on the lid for opening the lid. Inside the washer/dryer an actuator is provided that corresponds to the handle, which triggers the lever when the dispenser is mounted in its place thus opening the lid.

[0009] In a version of this embodiment, the lid is fixed to the body such that it will rotate for opening and closing. A spring is used for fixed that exerts a force on the lid in the direction to stay closed as long as it is not triggered. When the dispenser is mounted in its place, the actuator exerts a force on the lever that exceeds the force exerted on the lid by the spring in the direction to stay closed and thus the lid opens.

[0010] In the washer/dryer of the present invention, the dispenser can be detached for filling in the cleaning agents. After the dispenser is detached, the user displaces the lid from the body. Thus the body can be used as a measuring cup by directly dipping into detergent. After the body is filled with cleaning agents, the lid is remounted and the dispenser is mounted into its place. When the dispenser is mounted into place, the lever is triggered by the actuator and the lid opens. Then the washer/dryer is operated, water is taken into the body from the inlet when use of cleaning agent is required and water mixes with the cleaning agent and flows out of the body passing through the outlet.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer comprises more than one dispenser for receiving the cleaning agents therein such as detergent, softener, anti-lime etc.

[0012] The washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figure, where:

[0013] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a washer/dryer.

[0014] Figure 2 - is the detailed perspective view of a washer/dryer when the dispenser is open.

[0015] Figure 3 - is the front perspective view of a dispenser.

[0016] Figure 4 - is the rear perspective view of the dispenser.

[0017] Figure 5 - is the side view of the dispenser.

[0018] Figure 6 - is the side view of the dispenser when mounted into the washer/dryer.

[0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer/dryer

2. Dispenser

3. Body

4. Lid

5. Lever arm

6. Actuator

7. Inlet

8. Spring

9. Outlet

10. Opening, closing mechanism

[0020] The washer/dryer (1) of the present invention comprises at least one detachable dispenser (2) having - a body (3) wherein the cleaning agents such as detergent, softener etc. are placed,

- at least one inlet (7) for receiving water into the body (3),

- at least one outlet (9) for delivering the washing agents mixed with water received from the inlet (7) outside of the body (3) to be used in the washing process (Figures 1, 2 and Figure 3).

[0021] The washer/dryer (1) furthermore comprises a lid (4) disposed on the dispenser (2), closing the outlet (9) when the dispenser (2) is detached for blocking the passage of washing agents from the outlet (9), opening when the dispenser (2) is mounted, allowing the passage of washing agents from the outlet (9) (Figure 2 and Figure 5).

[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid (4) is disposed on the rear wall of the dispenser (2) (Figure 4).

[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) furthermore comprises an opening/closing mechanism (10) that opens the lid (4) when the dispenser (2) is mounted in its place, and closes thereof when detached (Figure 6).

[0024] In a version of this embodiment, the opening/closing mechanism (10) comprises at least one lever (5) for triggering to open the lid (4) and at least one actuator (6) that triggers the lever (5) for opening the lid (4) when the dispenser (2) is mounted in its place (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

[0025] The opening/closing mechanism (10) furthermore comprises a spring (8) that secures the lid (4) to the body (3) in such a way that opening and closing thereof is maintained by rotating motion. The spring (8) exerts a force on the lid (4) in the direction to stay closed as long as it is not triggered. However, when the dispenser (2) is mounted in its place in the washer/dryer (1), the actuator (6) exerts a force on the lever (5) that exceeds the force exerted on the lid (4) by the spring (8) in the direction to stay shut and thus the lid (4) changes to the open position (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

[0026] Before the washer/dryer (1) of the present invention is operated the dispenser (2) is detached and the lid (4) is displaced from the body (3). After the body (3) is filled with the cleaning agent by using thereof as a measuring cup, the lid (4) is reattached and the dispenser (2) is mounted into place in the washer/dryer (1). When the dispenser (2) is mounted into place, the lever (5) disposed on the lid (4) is triggered by the actuator (6) and the lid (4) changes to the open position. While the washer/dryer (1) operates, water is taken into the body (3) from the inlet (7) when use of cleaning agent is required for performing the washing process and water mixes with the cleaning agent contained in the body (3). The cleaning agent mixed with water flows out through the outlet (9) to be used in the washing process since the lid (4) is open.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises more than one dispenser (2) for placing therein the cleaning agents such as detergent, softener, anti-lime etc.

[0028] By means of the washer/dryer (1) of the present invention, a dispenser (2) is provided whereby filling with cleaning agents and cleaning thereof is made easier. Consequently consumer satisfaction increases and savings in time and energy are maintained.

Claims

[0001] A washer/dryer (1) comprising at least one detachable dispenser (2) having a body (3) wherein the cleaning agents such as detergent, softener etc. are placed, at least one inlet (7) for receiving water into the body (3), and at least one outlet (9) for delivering the cleaning agents mixed with water received from the inlet (7) outside of the body (3) to be used in the washing process and characterized by a lid (4) disposed on the dispenser (2), closing the outlet (9) for blocking the passage of washing agents from the outlet (9) when the dispenser (2) is detached, opening to allow passage of washing agents from the outlet (9) when the dispenser (2) is mounted.

[0002] A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the lid (4) that is disposed on the rear wall of the dispenser (2).

[0003] A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by an opening/closing mechanism (10) that opens the lid (4) when the dispenser (2) is mounted in its place and closes thereof when detached.

[0004] A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the opening/closing mechanism (10) that comprises at least one lever (5) for opening the lid (4).

[0005] A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the opening/closing mechanism (10) that comprises at least one actuator (6) that triggers the lever (5) for opening the lid (4) when the dispenser (2) is mounted in its place.

[0006] A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the opening/closing mechanism (10) that comprises a spring (8) for securing the lid (4) to the body (3) in such a way that opening and closing thereof is maintained by rotating motion.

[0007] A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the spring (8) that exerts a force on the lid (4) in the direction to stay closed as long as it is not triggered.