WO2020043628A1 - Appareil de blanchisserie avec tiroir convivial - Google Patents

Appareil de blanchisserie avec tiroir convivial Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020043628A1
WO2020043628A1 PCT/EP2019/072625 EP2019072625W WO2020043628A1 WO 2020043628 A1 WO2020043628 A1 WO 2020043628A1 EP 2019072625 W EP2019072625 W EP 2019072625W WO 2020043628 A1 WO2020043628 A1 WO 2020043628A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
drawer
laundry treatment
component
compartment
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2019/072625
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English (en)
Inventor
Mathieu RIVIERE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Publication of WO2020043628A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020043628A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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 generally relates to the field of laundry treatment appliances (hereinafter, concisely,“laundry appliances”), and particularly to laundry appliances for treating, e.g. washing, items (such as linen, clothes, garments, shoes, and the like), such as laundry washing appliances and laundry washing appliances also implementing laundry drying functions (also referred to as washers/dryers). More particularly, the present invention relates to a laundry appliance with an improved and user-friendly drawer.
  • a laundry appliance typically comprises a drawer having drawer compartments for containing one or more treatment agents (such as liquid and powder treatment agents), and a drawer seat for slidably housing the drawer within it.
  • treatment agents such as liquid and powder treatment agents
  • a typical drawer comprises one or more components that can be actuated by the user (hereinafter, actuatable components).
  • actuatable components of the drawer are a detach component for allowing a drawer handle to be detached from a drawer body, one or more adapter components each one configured to be reversibly inserted into a respective drawer compartment for adapting it to liquid or powder treatment agents, an extraction component for reversibly extracting the drawer from the drawer seat, one or more access components (e.g., doors) for selectively accessing respective drawer compartment(s), and one or more plug components for selectively plugging or unplugging emptying holes of respective drawer compartments.
  • access components e.g., doors
  • the drawers of currently marketed laundry appliances comprise each one a relatively high number of actuatable components (for example, all or almost all of the above mentioned actuatable components).
  • actuatable components for example, all or almost all of the above mentioned actuatable components.
  • the Applicant has realized that a uniform and impersonal appearance of the drawer, besides being not very gratifying for the user in terms of aesthetics, may also negatively affect user experience when the user interacts with it.
  • a drawer having a uniform appearance and comprising a relatively high number of actuatable components may be disclouraging for the user, in that the actuatable components are not easily recognizable and/or actuatable by the user without resorting to the instruction manual of the laundry appliance or other forms of help or assistance.
  • An aspect of the present invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance comprising a drawer for containing at least one laundry treatment agent, and at least two components associated with said drawer and that can be manually actuated by a user while interacting with the drawer.
  • Said at least two components preferably comprise, at least on respective portions thereof, respective markers with at least one common appearance feature for allowing the user to visually identify said at least two components in the drawer.
  • said at least one common appearance feature comprises a common color of said respective portions of said at least two components.
  • said markers comprise, for at least one of said at least two components, a function indicator allowing the user to recognize a function of the respective component.
  • the function indicators of said at least two components comprise at least one among textual and/or sign indicators.
  • the laundry treatment appliance further comprises a user interface having at least one control element for allowing the user to control at least one operating parameter of a laundry treatment cycle.
  • the user interface also comprises at least one status indicator for indicating to the user a status of the laundry treatment appliance and/or a status of a laundry treatment cycle.
  • one or more of said at least one operating parameter and said at least one status indicator is associated each one with a respective one of said markers.
  • said at least two components comprise at least two among:
  • a detach component for allowing a drawer handle to be detached from a drawer body
  • At least one adapter component configured to be reversibly inserted into at least one drawer compartment for adapting the at least one drawer compartment to different types of laundry treatment agents
  • At least one plug component adapted to selectively plug or unplug a respective emptying hole associated with the at least one drawer compartment.
  • At least one first drawer compartment of said at least one drawer compartment is adapted to contain a single dose of said at least one laundry treatment agent, and/or at least one second drawer compartment of said at least one drawer compartment is adapted to contain multiple doses of said at least one laundry treatment agent.
  • said drawer body is connectable with said drawer handle in a releasable way through a coupling arrangement.
  • Said coupling arrangement preferably comprises:
  • drawer sliding means arranged on the drawer body along a coupling direction orthogonal to a sliding direction of the drawer into its respective drawer seat
  • Said detach component advantageously comprises a detach actuator provided in said drawer body and/or in said drawer handle, actuatable for switching the detach component between locked and unlocked configurations preventing and allowing, respectively, the movement of the drawer handle with respect to the drawer body.
  • said at least one adapter component comprises a container adapted to be reversibly housed into said at least one drawer compartment.
  • the container preferably comprises a grip portion for allowing insertion and removal of the at least one adapter component into and from, respectively, said at least one drawer compartment.
  • the marker of the at least one adapter component is advantageously provided on said grip portion.
  • said grip portion comprises an inclined edge that identifies a gap between the container and the at least one drawer compartment when the container is housed in the least one drawer compartment.
  • the at least one access component comprises a door that can be actuated between open and closed conditions for respectively allowing and preventing access to the at least one drawer compartment.
  • the door preferably comprises a grip portion for actuating the door.
  • the marker of the at least one access component is advantageously provided on said grip portion.
  • the grip portion when the door is in the closed condition, the grip portion is spaced apart from the least one drawer compartment thereby allowing the user to grasp the grip portion.
  • the door comprises an abutment portion that, when the door is in the closed position, preferably abuts on a portion of a rim region of the at least one drawer compartment.
  • the marker of the at least one access component is advantageously provided further on said abutment portion.
  • said at least one first drawer compartment comprises at least two first drawer compartments.
  • Each one of said at least two first drawer compartments comprises, at least on respective portions thereof, respective further markers with at least one further common appearance feature different from the common appearance feature and, preferably, from said generally uniform appearance of the drawer. In this way, the user is allowed to visually identify said at least two first drawer compartments.
  • said extraction component is associated with drawer seat and preferably comprises:
  • an extraction actuator mechanically coupled to said catch portion for operating the extraction component between a first condition in which the catch portion engages said blocking portion thereby preventing extraction of the drawer from the drawer seat and a second condition in which the catch portion disengages said blocking portion thereby allowing extraction of the drawer from the drawer seat.
  • the marker of the extraction component is advantageously provided on said extraction actuator.
  • FIGS. 1A and IB show perspective views of a laundry appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2A shows perspective views of a drawer of the laundry appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2B shows a perspective exploded view of the drawer of Figure 2A according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2C shows a perspective exploded view of a drawer cover and of a door associated therewith according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2D shows a perspective and partially exploded view from behind of the drawer of Figure 2A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS 1A and IB show perspective views of a laundry appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the laundry appliance 100 is a washing machine.
  • the present invention applies to other types of laundry appliances (for example combined washers/dryers, i.e. washing machines also having laundry drying functions).
  • the laundry appliance 100 comprises a (e.g., parallepiped-shaped) cabinet 105, which preferably accommodates a treatment chamber (i.e. , a laundry washing chamber in the example herein considered of a washing machine) for performing a laundry treatment cycle on items housed therein (i.e., a washing cycle on a laundry load in the example herein considered of a washing machine).
  • a treatment chamber i.e. , a laundry washing chamber in the example herein considered of a washing machine
  • the laundry washing chamber comprises a washing tub (not shown) and, within it, a (e.g., rotatable) washing basket or drum (not shown) adapted to contain the laundry load to be washed.
  • a cabinet front has a loading opening providing an access to the drum for loading/unloading the laundry load, a door 110 (shown in a closed position in Figures 1A and IB) being provided for sealably closing the loading opening during the operation of the laundry appliance 100.
  • the laundry appliance 100 also comprises, enclosed in the cabinet 105, electrical/electronic/mechanical/hydraulic components for the operation of the laundry appliance 100 (such as for example motor, electromechanical valves, pumps and impellers of the hydraulic apparatus, one or more heating elements for heating water/treatment agents/air).
  • electrical/electronic/mechanical/hydraulic components for the operation of the laundry appliance 100 (such as for example motor, electromechanical valves, pumps and impellers of the hydraulic apparatus, one or more heating elements for heating water/treatment agents/air).
  • the laundry appliance 100 further comprises a drawer 115 for containing one or more laundry treatment agents (or, concisely, treatment agents), such as liquid and powder treatment agents including, but not limited to, washing detergents, rinsing detergents, bleaches and softeners.
  • the laundry appliance 100 also comprises a drawer seat 120 for housing the drawer 115, the drawer being advantageously configured to slide into the drawer seat 120, along a longitudinal or sliding direction X, between an extracted position (shown in Figure 1A) and a retracted position (shown in Figure IB).
  • the drawer seat 120 is preferably provided on a top part of a cabinet front.
  • the laundry appliance 100 further comprises a user interface 125, the user interface 125 being preferably provided on the top part of the cabinet front, more preferably next to the drawer seat 120 along a transversal direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.
  • the user interface 125 comprises a display unit, not shown, for visually displaying one or more pieces of information; the display unit may for example be a light emitting polymer display (LPD), a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, or an organic light-emitting diode display.
  • the display unit may for example be a light emitting polymer display (LPD), a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, or an organic light-emitting diode display.
  • the user interface 125 preferably comprises one or more control elements (e.g . , selection buttons and/or knobs) for allowing the user to select a washing cycle and to control one or more operating parameters of the selected washing cycle (including, but not limited to, temperature, laundry load dirt level, spin speed, start time delay, drawer compartment selection, treatment agent selection).
  • control elements e.g . , selection buttons and/or knobs
  • operating parameters of the selected washing cycle including, but not limited to, temperature, laundry load dirt level, spin speed, start time delay, drawer compartment selection, treatment agent selection.
  • the user interface 125 preferably comprises one or more status indicators for indicating to the user a status of the laundry appliance 100; for the purposes of the present disclosure, the status indicators are configured to indicate the status of one or more components of the laundry appliances 100 (for example, or one or more drawer components that can be actuated by the user, as better discussed in the following) and/or a status of the washing cycle (including, but not limited to, information about a residual time to the end of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or information about a current phase of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or selected parameters for the ongoing washing cycle, and/or selected drawer compartment, and/or selected treatment agent).
  • the status indicators are configured to indicate the status of one or more components of the laundry appliances 100 (for example, or one or more drawer components that can be actuated by the user, as better discussed in the following) and/or a status of the washing cycle (including, but not limited to, information about a residual time to the end of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or information about a current phase of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or
  • Figure 2A shows perspective views of the drawer 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2A will be discussed jointly with Figure 2B, which shows a perspective exploded view of the drawer 115
  • Figure 2C which shows a perspective exploded view of a drawer cover and of a door associated therewith
  • Figure 2D which shows a perspective and partially exploded view from behind of the drawer
  • the drawer 115 is generally made of a single plastic material, exception made for some parts thereof which advantageously comprise materials conveniently different from the plastic material of most of the drawer 115 (as detailed below while discussing embodiments of the present invention).
  • the drawer 115 preferably comprises a drawer handle
  • drawer handle 205 allowing the user to slidably move the drawer 115 between the extracted position and the retracted position when it is fitted into the drawer seat 120, and a drawer body 210 to which the drawer handle 205 is adapted to be mounted (advantageously, in a removable or reversible way, as better discussed in the following).
  • the drawer body 210 preferably comprises one or more (two, in the example at issue) drawer compartments 215I,2152 each one adapted to contain a single dose of a respective treatment agent for performing a single washing cycle, hereinafter referred to as mono-dose compartments 215I,2152; just as an example, the mono-dose compartment 215i may be arranged to contain a single dose of a powder or liquid washing detergent, whereas the mono-dose compartment 2152 may be arranged to contain a single dose of a powder or liquid or pearl softener.
  • the drawer 115 preferably comprises one or more (two, in the example at issue) drawer compartments 220I,2202 each one adapted to contain multiple doses of a respective treatment agent for performing multiple washing cycles, hereinafter referred to as multi-dose compartments: therefore, the exemplary considered laundry appliance 100 is configured to implement an auto-dosing functionality in which, at each washing cycle (and when the auto-dosing functionality is enabled), a predetermined amount of treatment agent is automatically taken (e.g., by means of a pump, preferably a peristaltic pump, not shown) from one or both of the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202.
  • the multi-dose compartment 220i may be arranged to contain multiple doses of a liquid washing detergent
  • the multi-dose compartment 2202 may be arranged to contain a multiple doses of a liquid softener.
  • the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 are formed side by side along the transversal direction Y ; more preferably, the mono dose compartments 215I,2152 are formed in an area of the drawer body 210 that, when the drawer handle 205 is mounted on the drawer body 210, is proximal to the drawer handle 205 (hereinafter referred to as front area of the drawer body 210).
  • each mono-dose compartment 215I,2152 extends in depth ( /. e. , along a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal X and transversal Y directions) from a top of the drawer body 210 that identifies a respective access mouth for allowing treatment agent loading from above.
  • the drawer 115 also comprises one or more adapter components each one configured to be inserted into or removed from a respective mono-dose compartment 215I,2152 for adapting it to, respectively, liquid or powder treatment agents.
  • a single adapter component is provided, namely an adapter component (globally denoted by the number reference 215I,AD) configured to be reversibly housed into the mono-dose compartment 215i
  • the adapter component 215I,AD comprises a container (for example, a cup-shaped container) CI,AD adapted to be reversibly housed into the mono-dose compartment 215i when a liquid treatment agent is intended to be loaded.
  • the adapter component 215I,AD advantageously comprises a siphon pipe SPI,AD (preferably, formed in a single piece with the container CI,AD) to induce a siphon phenomenon, and a siphon cap SCI,AD coupled (or adapted to be coupled) to the siphon pipe SPI,AD: when the liquid washing detergent in the container Ci, AD exceeds a limit level, a siphon phenomenon occurs, whereby the liquid washing agent to be supplied during the washing cycle is previously discharged through the siphon pipe SPI,AD.
  • a siphon pipe SPI,AD preferably, formed in a single piece with the container CI,AD
  • the container CI,AD fits the access mouth of the mono-dose compartment 215i, exception made for an inclined edge IEI,AD of the container CI,AD.
  • a gap is defined between the mono-dose compartment 215i (e.g., a corner of the substantially square-like shape of its access mouth) and the inclined edge IEI,AD of the container CI,AD, whereby the inclined edge IEI,AD of the container CI,AD defines a grip portion adapted to be grasped for easily actuating (e.g., inserting and removed into and from the mono-dose compartment 215i) the container CI,AD (or, more generally, the adapter component 215I,AD).
  • At least part of the inclined edge IEI,AD (e.g. , the top edge part that, when the drawer 115 is fitted into the drawer seat 120, is visible by as user looking at the drawer 115) is made of a material different from the plastic material of most of the drawer 115.
  • the material of the inclined edge IEI,AD (or of part thereof) may for example comprise a synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic material, e.g. formed by overmolding or co-molding techniques.
  • a container for example, a cup- shaped container
  • a siphon pipe (not visible, and preferably formed in a single piece with the container C3 ⁇ 4AD) to induce a siphon phenomenon
  • the container C3 ⁇ 4AD may also comprise a grip portion (e.g. , similar to the grip portion of the container CI,AD) to allow insertion and removal thereof into and from, respectively, the mono-dose compartment 2152.
  • the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 are formed side by side along the transversal direction Y. More preferably, the multi- dose compartments 220I,2202 are formed in an area of the drawer body 210 (hereinafter referred to as rear area of the drawer body 210) that, along the sliding direction X, is rearward with respect to the front area of the drawer body 210 ( /. e. , the area of the drawer body 210 where the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 are provided). Even more preferably, as visible in the figures, the front and rear areas of the drawer body 210 are properly different in size, and particularly the rear area of the drawer body 210 is larger than the front area of the drawer body 210 (e.g.
  • the rear area of the drawer body 210 being for example from 2 to 4 times larger than the front area of the drawer body 210); when, as herein exemplary considered, same extensions in depth of the mono-dose 215I,2152 and multi-dose 220I,2202 compartments are assumed, having the rear area of the drawer body 210 larger than the front area of the drawer body 210 translates into correspondingly different capacities of the mono-dose 215I,2152 and multi-dose 220I,2202 compartments (with the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 that are sized to store larger amounts of treatment agent as compared to the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152).
  • Forming the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 behind the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 is advantageous in that a low or relatively low extraction of the drawer 115 is required for allowing the user to load the treatment agents in the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 (on the contrary, forming the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 behind the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 would dramatically impair the mechanical stability of the drawer 115, for example when extracting the drawer 115 to load the treatment agent in the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 and a certain amount of treatment agent is still stored in one or more of the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202).
  • one or more emptying holes each one associated with a respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202 are provided in the drawer body 210 for emptying the respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202, i.e. for discharging it from the treatment agent contained therein ( e.g . for maintenance or cleaning of the drawer 115).
  • emptying holes 210HI,210H2 are provided in the drawer body 210, the emptying hole 210m being associated with the multi-dose compartment 220i and the emptying hole 210H2 being associated with the multi-dose compartment 2202 - however, in further embodiments of the present invention (not shown), emptying holes associated with the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 may be provided additionally or alternatively to the emptying holes 210HI,210H2.
  • each emptying hole 210HI,210H2 comprises a circular opening located on a respective side of the drawer body 210 (preferably, a bottom part thereof), i.e. the side of the drawer body 210 that delimits the respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202 along the transversal direction Y.
  • Each emptying hole 210HI,210H2 is advantageously closable or pluggable by means of a selectively removable plug component (or, concisely, plug) 210PI,210P 2 (the plugs 210PI,210P 2 being both visible in Figure 2B detached or removed from the respective emptying holes 210HI,210H 2 , whereas a plug covering the respective emptying hole, such as the plug 210PI covering the emptying hole 210m, is visible in Figure 2A).
  • each emptying hole 210HI,210H 2 is located, along the sliding direction X, in an advanced position of the drawer body 210 (i.e., towards the drawer handle 205); therefore, when the drawer 115 is sufficiently extracted or pulled out, the plugs 210PI,210P 2 become accessible and can be removed to free the emptying holes 210HI,210H 2 . Therefore, upon sufficient extraction or pulling out of the drawer 115 and removal of the plug(s) 210PI,210P 2 , the treatment agent(s) in the multi-dose compartment(s) 220I,220 2 is caused to flow outside through the respective emptying hole(s) 210HI,210H 2 , e.g.
  • attachment or connection or coupling or fitting of the drawer 115 is preferably releasable (so as to detach or disconnect or decouple or unfit the drawer 115 from the drawer seat 120) by means of an extraction component (only a part thereof being visible in Figure 2D and globally denoted by the number reference 210E).
  • the extraction component 210E is preferably coupled or coupleable to the drawer seat 120 (advantageously, on a front part thereof that, in use, faces the drawer handle 205). More preferably, the extraction component 210E comprises a releasable locking element 210E,LOC for locking the extraction component 210E in a slot 120s of the drawer seat 120 (thus firmly securing the extraction component210E to the drawer seat 120 during actuation of the extraction component 210E).
  • the extraction component 210E further comprises an extraction actuator 210E,ACT (visible in Figure 2D) actuatable by the user in order to decouple the drawer 115 from the drawer seat 120.
  • the extraction component 210E comprises a catch portion 210E,CAT adapted to engage a blocking portion (not shown) of the drawer body 210; more preferably, the extraction actuator 210E,ACT is mechanically coupled to the catch portion 210E,CAT for operating the extraction component 210E between a first condition in which the catch portion 210E,CAT engages the blocking portion thereby preventing extraction of the drawer 115 from the drawer seat 120 and a second condition in which the catch portion 210E,CAT disengages the blocking portion thereby allowing extraction of the drawer 115 from the drawer seat 120 (with the extraction component 210E that, when the drawer 115 is extracted from the drawer seat 120, is firmly coupled to the drawer seat 120 by means of the locking element 210E,LOC being fitted in the slot 120s).
  • the drawer 115 also comprises a drawer cover 225 for covering the drawer body 210. More preferably, the drawer cover 225 is configured to cover the rear area of the drawer body 210, thus leaving uncovered the front area of the drawer body 210, and hence the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152; the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 can therefore be directly accessed from above (i.e., through the respective access mouths) for loading the treatment agents therein.
  • the drawer cover 225 comprises one or more access openings each one for accessing a respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202 for loading the treatment agent; in the example at issue in which the drawer body 210 comprises two multi-dose compartments 220I,2202, two access openings 230I,2302 are provided in the drawer cover 225.
  • One or more of the access openings 230I,2302 (preferably, each one of the access openings 230I,2302) comprises, at an inner part thereof, a level indicator for indicating a level of treatment agent that is recommended to be loaded in the respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202.
  • a level indicator for indicating a level of treatment agent that is recommended to be loaded in the respective multi-dose compartment 220I,2202.
  • only one level indicator is assumed, for example the level indicator associated with the access opening 230i (visible in Figures 2B and 2C and denoted by the number reference 230IL).
  • Each level indicator such as the level indicator 230IL, may for example be in the form of a horizontally projecting fin preferably formed at a proper inner wall of the respective access opening (e.g., in a single piece with it), more preferably at a corner of the substantially square-like shape of the respective access opening.
  • the access openings 230i,23(h are formed in the drawer cover 225 side by side along the transversal direction Y.
  • the access openings 230I,2302 are advantageously formed in an area 225A of the drawer cover 225 that, when the drawer cover 225 is mounted on the drawer body 210, is proximal to the front area of the drawer body 210 ( /. e.
  • the area 225A of the drawer cover 225, and hence the access openings 230I,2302, are formed at such a distance (along the longitudinal direction X) from the access mouths of the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 that a free area 240 is defined in the drawer cover 225 adapted to contain one or more pieces of information for the user.
  • Exemplary pieces of information that may be contained in the free area 240 are information about correct dosages of the treatment agents according to treatments agents and/or water chemical parameters, and/or general indications or instructions about a correct operation or setting of the auto-dosing functionality.
  • the area 225A of the drawer cover 225 in which the access openings 230I,2302 are formed is a recessed area 225A, the recessed area 225A being recessed (along the vertical direction Z) with respect to a top profile of the drawer cover 225.
  • the recessed area 225A preferably comprises a rim region 225 AR that substantially surrounds the access openings 230I,2302.
  • the rim region 225AR preferably comprises a front portion 225AR,F that, in use, is proximal to the free region 240, and side portions 225AR,SI,225AR,S2.
  • each side portion 225AR,SI,225AR,S2 of the rim region 225 AR opens to a respective side edge portion 225SI,225S2 of the drawer cover 225 (in order to house a respective grip portion, as discussed below); in other words, the top profile of the drawer cover 225, and particularly the side edge portion thereof, stops in correspondence of each side portion 225AR,SI,225AR,S2 of the rim region 225 AR.
  • the laundry appliance 100 preferably comprises one or more access components associated with the drawer 115 for selectively covering and uncovering the access openings 230I,2302 for respectively preventing and allowing access to the respective multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 (in the exemplary considered embodiment, no access components are provided for selectively covering and uncovering the access mouths of the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152, however this should not be construed as a limitation).
  • the access component may for example be a door 245 coupled or coupleable to the drawer cover 225 at the respective access opening 230I,2302.
  • the door 245 is a flap door pivotally coupled to the drawer cover 225 so as to be actuatable by the user between an open position (shown in the bottom drawing of Figure 2A) and a closed position (shown in the top drawing of Figure 2A) for jointly uncovering and covering, respectively, both the access openings 230I,2302.
  • a single door 245 associated with both access openings 230i,23(h is assumed in the exemplary considered embodiment - in any case, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, not shown, two doors may be provided, each door being associated with a respective access opening 230I,2302.
  • the door 245 fits the recessed area 225A of the drawer cover 225 and is flush with the top profile of the drawer cover 225 when the door 245 is in the closed position.
  • the door 245 preferably comprises an abutment portion 245AB that, when the door 245 is in the closed position, abuts on the front portion 225AR,F of the rim region 225AR.
  • the abutment portion 245 AB is preferably part of a sealing member of the door 245, the sealing member being for example made of synthetic rubber or thermoplastic materials, or other materials having sufficiently resilient properties to ensure good adherence when coming in contact with the front portion 225AR,F of the rim region 225AR ( /. e. , door 245 in the closed position).
  • the sealing member is advantageously overmolded to a body 245B of the door 245, the body 245B of the door 245 being for example made of same or similar plastic material of most of the drawer 115 (for example, a plastic rigid material).
  • the door 245 further comprises one or more grip portions for actuating the door 245.
  • the door 245 comprises two grip portions 245GI,245G2, each one facing a respective side portion 245AR,SI,245AR,S2 of the rim region 245AR when the door 245 is in the closed position.
  • the grip portions 245GI,245G2 are preferably formed in a single piece with the abutment portion 245AB, the grip portions 245GI,245G2 being therefore part of the sealing member. More preferably, the grip portions 245GI,245G2 are designed such that, when the door 245 is in the closed position, each grip portion 245GI,245G2 is flush (along the vertical direction Z) with the respective side edge portion 225SI,225S2 of the drawer cover 225. Even more preferably, the grip portions 245GI,245G2 are designed such that, when the door 245 is in the closed position, each grip portion 245GI,245G2 is spaced apart from the multi-dose compartment 220I,2202 along the vertical direction Z.
  • each grip portion 245GI,245G2 has a thickness lower than the thickness of the abutment portion 245 AB, such that, when the door 245 is in the closed position and the abutment portion 245AB abuts the front portion 245AR,F of the rim region 245AR, each grip portion 245GI,245G2 and the respective faced side portion 225AR,SI,225AR,S2 of the rim region 245 AR are spaced apart from each other (along the vertical direction Z) by a gap (visible in the top drawing of Figure 2A) that allows the user to grasp the grip portion 245GI,245G2.
  • the drawer 115 can be moved between the extracted and retracted positions by acting on the drawer handle 205.
  • the drawer handle 205 may be reversibly coupled or connected to the drawer body 210, for example by means of a coupling arrangement associated with the drawer 115.
  • the coupling arrangement comprises sliding means (such as the rail elements 210RI,210R2 visible in Figure 2B) arranged on the drawer body 210 along the transversal direction Y (which identifies a coupling direction between the drawer handle 205 and the drawer body 210) and sliding means (such as rail elements 205RI,205R2 visible in Figure 2D) arranged on the drawer handle 225 along the transversal direction Y.
  • the rail elements 210RI,210R2 of the drawer body 210 are adapted to slidably engage with the rail elements 205RI,205R2 of the drawer handle 205 for allowing the drawer handle 205 to move with respect to the drawer body 210 along the transversal direction Y.
  • the coupling arrangement also comprises a detach component 250 configured to selectively prevent or allow the movement of the drawer handle 205 with respect to the drawer body 210 along the transversal direction Y (whereby when such a movement is allowed, detachment or decoupling between the drawer handle 205 and the drawer body 210 can be obtained).
  • a detach component 250 configured to selectively prevent or allow the movement of the drawer handle 205 with respect to the drawer body 210 along the transversal direction Y (whereby when such a movement is allowed, detachment or decoupling between the drawer handle 205 and the drawer body 210 can be obtained).
  • the detach component 250 is a detent element located on an inner face of the drawer handle 205 and configured to be switched between a locked configuration, in which the detent element 250 engages a corresponding detent region 255 (e.g . a window, preferably a rectangular window) in a front wall of the drawer body 210, and an unlocked configuration, in which the detent element 250 is disengaged from the detent region 255 thereby allowing the movement of the drawer handle 205 with respect to the drawer body 210 along the transversal direction Y.
  • a corresponding detent region 255 e.g a window, preferably a rectangular window
  • the detach component 250 comprises a detach actuator 250ACT actuatable for switching the detach component 250 between the locked and unlocked configurations.
  • the detach actuator 250ACT may be provided in the drawer body 210 instead of in the drawer handle 205, or the detach actuator 250ACT may be“distributed” between the drawer body 210 and the drawer handle 205.
  • two or more among the components associated with the drawer 115 that can be manually actuated by the user while interacting with the drawer 115 comprise, at least on respective portions thereof, respective markers - hereinafter, for the sake of conciseness, these actuatable components will be referred to as marked components.
  • the markers provided on the marked components comprise one or more common appearance features for allowing the user to visually identify the actuatable components in the drawer 115.
  • the marked components comprise two or more, preferably all, among the detach component 250, the adapter component 215I,AD, the extraction component 210E, the access component 245 and the plug components 210PI,210P2.
  • the markers are generally represented as a uniform grey color of the portions of the actuatable components to which the markers are preferably (although not exclusively) applied.
  • the detach component 250 is preferably marked; the marker is preferably (but not exclusively) provided on the detach actuator 250ACT (SO that the user can quickly identify the portion of the detach component 250 onto which push action has to be exerted for detaching the drawer handle 205 from the drawer body 210).
  • the adapter component 215I,AD is preferably marked; the marker is preferably (but not exclusively) provided on the inclined edge IEI,AD (SO that the user can quickly identify the portion of the adapter component 215I,AD to be grasped for insertion and removal thereof into and from the mono-dose compartment 215i).
  • the extraction component 210E is preferably marked; the marker is preferably (but not exclusively) provided on the extraction actuator 210E,ACT (SO that the user can quickly identify the portion of the extraction component 210E onto which push action has to be exerted for extracting the drawer 115 from the drawer seat 120).
  • the access component 245 is preferably marked; the marker is preferably (but not exclusively) provided on one or more of (preferably both) the grip portions 245GI,245G2 (SO that the user can quickly identify the portion(s) of the access component 245 to be grasped for its opening). Additionally or alternatively, the marker is preferably provided on the abutment portion 245AB (SO that the user can quickly identify the access component 245, and, in the example at issue, quickly understand that a single door is provided for jointly covering two distinct multi-dose compartments 220I,2202).
  • One or more of the plug components 210PI,210P2 are preferably marked, the markers are preferably provided on exposed surfaces of the plug components 210PI,210P2 that, when the plug components 210PI,210P2 plug the respective emptying holes 210HI,210H2, are visible by the user (so that the user can quickly identify the plug components 210PI,210P2).
  • the common appearance feature stands out from a generally uniform appearance of the drawer 115.
  • the common appearance feature may comprise a common color, more preferably a common color that stands out from a generally uniform color of the drawer 115; just as an example, in case that the drawer 115 has a generally uniform (e.g., white) color (as in most of currently marketed laundry appliances), the common color may be a color different from the generally uniform color of the drawer 115, the common color being for example sufficiently different from the generally uniform color of the drawer 115 to allow the user to visually detecting the marked components at a first glance; just as an example, the common color may be red, blue, green, black, yellow, or pink (or even a combination thereof and/or of other known colors).
  • the common color may be selected, among the group of any known colors, as a color that, even from daily experience of other aspects of the human life, is already a signifier in itself and therefore that any user is induced to associate with a condition requiring and attracting his/her attention; examples of these colors are red, which is commonly used to indicate dangers or prohibitions (e.g., in road signs), and/or blue (which, for example, in road signs indicate obligation).
  • the common appearance feature may comprise one or more graphical effects able to attract the attention of the user due to their aesthetical appeal and/or to their unaccustomed use in the laundry appliance field.
  • these graphical effects comprise color shades or tones (for example, in case of a drawer having a generally uniform color, the graphical effect may comprise a warmer tone of the same color), mirror effects, chromed effects, satin finishes, and the like.
  • the common appearance feature may comprises one or more tactile effects.
  • these tactile effects comprise rough or knurled surfaces, e.g. as opposed to a generally uniform smooth surface of the drawer 115.
  • each marker preferably comprises a function indicator allowing the user to recognize a function of the respective marked component (or of a drawer part associated therewith).
  • Each function indicator may for example be a textual indicator and/or sign indicator.
  • the textual indicator may comprise a term indicating the function of the respective component (for example,“plug”), or an abbreviation thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the textual indicator may comprise a term indicating the action to be taken by the user for actuating the respective component (for example, “push” associated with the detach actuator 250ACT,“pull” associated with the plug components 210PI,210P2, “lift” associated with the access component 245 and particularly to the grip portions 245GI,245G2).
  • a term indicating the function of the respective component for example,“plug”
  • the textual indicator may comprise a term indicating the action to be taken by the user for actuating the respective component (for example, “push” associated with the detach actuator 250ACT,“pull” associated with the plug components 210PI,210P2, “lift” associated with the access component 245 and particularly to the grip portions 245GI,245G2).
  • the textual indicator may comprise a letter (for example, as illustrated in Figures 2A-2C, the letters“A” and“B” provided on the access component 245 and respectively associated with the multi-dose compartments 220i and 2202 covered or uncovered by the access component 245).
  • the sign indicator may comprise a symbol, preferably in a self-explanatory form, such as the common symbols of washing detergent and softener respectively associated with the multi-dose compartments 220i and 2202 (as visible in Figures 2A-2C), or symbols explaining or suggesting the action to be taken by the user for actuating the respective component (for example, an upwards circular arrow for suggesting the user the lifting movement necessary to actuate the access component 245).
  • a symbol preferably in a self-explanatory form, such as the common symbols of washing detergent and softener respectively associated with the multi-dose compartments 220i and 2202 (as visible in Figures 2A-2C), or symbols explaining or suggesting the action to be taken by the user for actuating the respective component (for example, an upwards circular arrow for suggesting the user the lifting movement necessary to actuate the access component 245).
  • the function indicators may be formed at any convenient part of the actuatable component, or even in a proximity of it (for example, in case of function indicators including relatively detailed instructions); just as an example, as visible in Figures 2A-2C, the functional indicators associated with the multi-dose-compartments 220I,2202 are provided on a surface of the access component 245 opposite to an inner surface of the access component 245 that, when the access component 245 is in the closed condition, faces the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202 (alternatively, the functional indicators may be provided on the inner surface or on both inner and outer surfaces thereof).
  • the user interface 125 comprises one or more control elements for allowing the user to select a washing cycle and to control one or more operating parameters of the selected washing cycle, and one or more status indicators for indicating to the user a status of the laundry appliance 100.
  • one or more of the operating parameter(s) and the status indicator(s) is associated each one with a respective one of said markers.
  • the marker comprises the function indicator (e.g., in the form of textual indicator and/or sign indicator) allowing the user to recognize a function of the respective marked component
  • the same function indicator may be provided on the user interface 125 and associated with one or more of the operating parameters or of the status indicators.
  • the textual indicator comprising the letters“A” and“B” provided on the access component 245 and respectively associated with the multi-dose compartments 220i and 2202 may also be provided on the user interface 125 (and particularly on the control elements, such as the selection buttons for allowing the user to select the desired multi-dose compartment).
  • the marker comprises a sign indicator in the form of a symbol
  • the same symbol of the component or of the function e.g., washing detergent and softener
  • the control elements e.g., selection buttons
  • further components (or groups of further components) of the drawer 115 may be marked in order to improve their identifiability.
  • the further components (or groups of further components) do not necessarily need to be actuatable components.
  • each one of these further components (or groups of further components) may have a respective further marker, different from the marker associated with the actuatable components discussed above.
  • the further markers may be provided on portions of the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152 in order to better identify them and, for example, distinguish them from the multi-dose compartments 220I,2202.
  • the further markers may for example have a one or more further common appearance features different from the common appearance feature discussed above and, preferably, from the generally uniform appearance of most of the drawer 115.
  • the mono-dose compartments 215I,2152, and particularly the access mouths thereof may have a color different from the color associated with the markers and from the color of most of the drawer 115.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil de traitement de blanchisserie (100). L'appareil de traitement de blanchisserie comprend un tiroir (115) pour contenir au moins un agent de traitement de blanchisserie, et au moins deux composants (210P1,210P2 ; 210E ; 2151,AD ; 245 ; 250) associés audit tiroir (115) et qui peuvent être actionnés manuellement par un utilisateur tout en interagissant avec le tiroir (115). Lesdits au moins deux composants (210P1,210P2 ; 210E ; 2151,AD ; 245 ; 250) comprennent, au moins sur des parties respectives (210P1,210P2 ; 210E, ACT ; 2151,AD ; 245G1, 245G2, 245AB ; 250ACT) de ceux-ci, des marqueurs respectifs avec au moins une caractéristique d'aspect commune pour permettre à l'utilisateur d'identifier visuellement lesdits au moins deux composants (210P1,210P2 ; 210E ; 2151,AD ; 245 ; 250) dans le tiroir (115).
PCT/EP2019/072625 2018-08-30 2019-08-23 Appareil de blanchisserie avec tiroir convivial Ceased WO2020043628A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18191663.6A EP3617375B1 (fr) 2018-08-30 2018-08-30 Appareil de blanchissage avec tiroir simple d'utilisation
EP18191663.6 2018-08-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020043628A1 true WO2020043628A1 (fr) 2020-03-05

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PCT/EP2019/072625 Ceased WO2020043628A1 (fr) 2018-08-30 2019-08-23 Appareil de blanchisserie avec tiroir convivial

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EP (1) EP3617375B1 (fr)
PL (1) PL3617375T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020043628A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102386710B1 (ko) 2020-08-10 2022-04-14 엘지전자 주식회사 의류처리장치
WO2023184808A1 (fr) * 2022-03-31 2023-10-05 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 Appareil d'alimentation en détergent et dispositif de lavage

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2000577A1 (fr) * 2007-06-05 2008-12-10 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Lave-linge doté d'un indicateur visuel de niveau d'agent de lavage
WO2011128745A2 (fr) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Antoniomerloni S.P.A. In A.S. Tiroir multifonction à ouverture complète pour appareils électroménagers
EP2876197A1 (fr) 2013-11-25 2015-05-27 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver avec ensemble tiroir
EP2876198A1 (fr) * 2013-11-25 2015-05-27 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver avec ensemble tiroir
CN106884282A (zh) * 2015-12-16 2017-06-23 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种洗涤剂盒以及滚筒洗衣机
CN207498664U (zh) * 2017-11-01 2018-06-15 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 洗涤剂投放装置和衣物处理装置

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2000577A1 (fr) * 2007-06-05 2008-12-10 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Lave-linge doté d'un indicateur visuel de niveau d'agent de lavage
WO2011128745A2 (fr) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Antoniomerloni S.P.A. In A.S. Tiroir multifonction à ouverture complète pour appareils électroménagers
EP2876197A1 (fr) 2013-11-25 2015-05-27 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver avec ensemble tiroir
EP2876198A1 (fr) * 2013-11-25 2015-05-27 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine à laver avec ensemble tiroir
CN106884282A (zh) * 2015-12-16 2017-06-23 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种洗涤剂盒以及滚筒洗衣机
CN207498664U (zh) * 2017-11-01 2018-06-15 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 洗涤剂投放装置和衣物处理装置

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EP3617375B1 (fr) 2022-02-16
PL3617375T3 (pl) 2022-06-20
EP3617375A1 (fr) 2020-03-04

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