CN114075735A - Laundry washing system and system components for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

Laundry washing systems and system components for use therein are disclosed. The laundry system is operable with only standard electrical outlets. The laundry system may reuse water from the on-board water tank component through the integrated plumbing component. The laundry system may include an on-board grey water treatment component to make system-assisted laundering easier for users to use without a designated facility for this type of appliance. The laundry system may include a filter cartridge that enables the washing water to be reused for a plurality of washing cycles. The dryer of such a laundry system may be implemented in a manner that does not require a drain and collects water from the dryer for reuse within the wash cycle.

Description

Laundry washing system and system components for use therein

Field of the disclosure

The disclosure made herein relates generally to a laundry system, and more particularly, to a laundry system including a washing machine unit and a dryer unit, each of which can recover washing water and each of which requires only formal electrical services.

Background

As is well known, a conventional laundry system generally includes a washing machine operated by a formal water coupling device and a dryer connected to a vent (vent), and in addition, they require formal electrical services. More specifically, the current implementation of washing machines exhibits the following drawbacks: such as being bulky and heavy, generating wastewater for each wash cycle, getting wash water components into the wastewater stream, and requiring designated space in the residence with special plumbing. Similarly, the current implementations of dryers exhibit the following drawbacks: such as being bulky and heavy, wasting wash water, requiring designated space in the home with a particular vent.

It is well known that water and energy conservation and waste stream management are considerations of global importance. Accordingly, there is a global need for laundry systems and components thereof that provide water and energy conservation and waste stream management. Moreover, there is a need in such laundry systems and components thereof in geographic locations (e.g., countries) where facilities often provide only standard electrical service (i.e., no water coupling devices and/or air vents).

Furthermore, a large number of apartment complexes, dormitories, camping cruisers (RVs), cabins and the like do not have formal utility couplings for conventional washing machines and/or dryers beyond standard electrical service. Not to mention that conventional washers and dryers are often too large and bulky for effective and preferential use in many of these types of applications. While alternatives to conventional washing machines and dryers exist for these types of applications (e.g., relatively small machines or machines having washing machines and dryers integrated into a common housing), these alternative machines are typically too small, lack certain desirable features, require one or more of the water container structures to be refilled with water from the water supply system for each load, require manual rotation for washing and/or drying, require vents, and other requirements that cannot be immediately provided and/or are undesirable.

Accordingly, a laundry system and system components for use therein that overcome the disadvantages associated with conventional laundry systems and system components thereof would be advantageous, desirable, and useful.

Summary of the disclosure

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to laundry washing systems and system components for use therein. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a laundry system that is operable using only standard power outlets (i.e., formal electrical service). The laundry washing system may reuse water from the on-board water tank component through a water recovery conduit and treatment components internally packaged in the system. To this end, the laundry system may include an on-board grey water treatment component to make system-assisted laundry easier for a user to use without designated facilities (e.g., plumbing, drain, or the like) for this type of appliance other than a standard electrical outlet. The one or more filter cartridges, which preferably include a non-toxic and degradable filter medium and a body, may be an integral component of the laundry system. The dryer of such a laundry washing system preferably does not require a drain and obtains (i.e., recycles) wash water from the dryer cycle for reuse in the wash cycle. Accordingly, system components of laundry systems configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention are advantageously implemented and integrated so as to overcome the disadvantages associated with conventional laundry systems and their system components.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a washing machine includes a first wash water container, a laundry washing tub, a second wash water container, a filter cartridge housing, and a water filter cartridge. The laundry washing tub has its water inlet in fluid communication with the water outlet of the first washing water container. The second washing water container has its water inlet in fluid communication with the water outlet of the laundry washing tub. At least a portion of the inner space of the laundry washing tub is located at a position above the water inlet of the second washing water container, thereby enabling the washing water to be supplied from the laundry washing tub to the second washing water container only by gravity-fed flow (gravity-fed flow). The filter cartridge housing has an inlet port thereof in fluid communication with an outlet port of the second wash water container through the inner space of the filter cartridge housing and has an outlet port thereof in fluid communication with an inlet port of the first wash water container. The water filter cartridge is detachably mounted within the interior space of the filter cartridge housing. The filter cartridge housing and the body of the water filter cartridge are collectively configured such that all of the wash water provided into the interior space of the filter cartridge housing passes through the interior space of the body of the water filter cartridge before entering the outlet of the filter cartridge housing.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the washing system includes a wash water tank (wash water tank), a laundry washing tub, a wash water sump (wash water supply), a water filtering structure, a water vapor condenser, and an air flow structure. The laundry washing tub is in fluid communication with the wash water tank to enable wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub. At least a portion of the inner space of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be supplied from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only. The washing water sump is in fluid communication with the laundry washing tub to enable washing water to be provided from the laundry washing tub to the washing water sump. At least a portion of the inner space of the laundry washing tub is located at a position above the water inlet of the washing water sump, thereby enabling the washing water to be supplied from the laundry washing tub to the washing water sump only by gravity-fed water flow. The water filter structure includes a filter cartridge housing and at least one water filter cartridge. The filter cartridge housing has its water inlet in fluid communication with the water outlet of the wash water sump through the interior space of the filter cartridge housing and has its water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet of the wash water tank. At least one water filter cartridge is removably mounted within the interior space of the filter cartridge housing and provides a water filtering function for enabling the wash water to be reused for multiple instances of the wash cycle. The water vapor condenser is in fluid communication with the wash water tank such that condensed water vapor can be provided from the water vapor condenser to the wash water tank. The airflow structure comprises a clothes drying barrel, an air treatment device and a water vapor condenser. The laundry drying tub, the air treatment device and the water vapor condenser together define an air flow path for enabling an air flow in a circuitous manner from the laundry drying tub, through the water vapor condenser, to the air treatment device and from the air treatment device to the laundry drying tub via the air flow path.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a laundry system includes a washing machine unit and a dryer unit. The washing machine unit includes a laundry washing tub, a washing water tank, a washing water sump, a water filtering structure, and a first water pump. The water outlet of the wash water tank is in fluid communication with the water inlet of the laundry washing tub. The water outlet of the clothes washing barrel is in fluid communication with the water inlet of the washing water bin. The water inlet of the water filtering structure is in fluid communication with the water outlet of the washing water sump, and the water outlet of the water filtering structure is in fluid communication with the water inlet of the washing water tank through the first water pump. At least a portion of the inner space of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be supplied from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only. The dryer unit includes a laundry drying tub, an air treatment device, and a water vapor condenser. The laundry drying tub, the air treatment device and the water vapor condenser together define an air flow path for enabling an air flow in a circuitous manner from the laundry drying tub, through the water vapor condenser, to the air treatment device and from the air treatment device to the laundry drying tub via the air flow path. The condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser is located at a position above at least a portion of the interior space of the wash water tank, thereby enabling condensed water vapor to be provided from the water vapor condenser to the interior space of the wash water tank by gravity-only water flow.

In one or more embodiments, the filter cartridge may filter the wash water to allow the wash water to be reused for multiple instances of the wash cycle.

In one or more embodiments, the filter cartridge may include one or more stages for particle filtration, one or more stages that provide flocculation (flocculation) and/or coagulation (coagulation), and one or more stages for compound absorption.

In one or more embodiments, the filter cartridge may include one or more media for providing removal of total contaminants, one or more media for inducing flocculation, one or more media for removing dissolved solids, one or more media for inducing agglomeration, one or more media for compound adsorption.

In one or more embodiments, one or more water pumps may be provided for providing a flow of condensed water vapor to the wash water tank.

In one or more embodiments, a wash water sterilizer may be provided for sterilizing wash water using the emitted light.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a laundry system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the laundry system of fig. 1, showing a wash water flow path of a washing machine unit of the system and an air flow path of a dryer unit of the system.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a water filter cartridge configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a laundry system 100 configured according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. More specifically, the laundry system 100 is preferably operable for multiple laundry cycles (i.e., wash and optionally dry cycles) with only a standard electrical outlet and initial wash water fill. The laundry washing system 100 preferably can reuse water from the on-board water tank component through internal plumbing. To this end, the laundry washing system 100 preferably includes an on-board wash water (i.e., grey water) treatment component to make system-assisted washing easier for a user to use without designated facilities (e.g., plumbing, drain, or the like). To provide such a board-mounted wash water treatment component, the laundry washing system 100 may include one or more filter cartridges that treat the wash water to a recovery state sufficient to enable reuse of the wash water in multiple wash cycles. Alternatively, one or more filter cartridges may be omitted or configured to not recover wash water, whereby wash wastewater for each wash cycle is added prior to a given instance of a wash cycle and drained prior to the next instance of a wash cycle.

In addition, the laundry system 100 preferably includes a dryer that does not require a drain and that obtains (i.e., recovers) wash water from the dryer circulation. Rather than venting to the atmosphere the water vapor removed from the laundry during drying of the laundry, the water vapor is condensed and stored for use in one or more subsequent wash cycles. In one or more embodiments, the condensed water vapor may be treated by an on-board wash water treatment component before being stored for use in a subsequent wash cycle.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the laundry system 100 includes a washing machine unit 102 and a dryer unit 104. The washer unit 102 and dryer unit 104 are each attachable to a power source by respective cables 106, 108. The power cable 106 of the washing machine unit 102 provides power to the electrical components of the washing machine unit 102 (e.g., wash water sterilizer, water pump, motor, and the like). The power cable 108 of the dryer unit 104 provides power to electrical components of the dryer unit 104 (e.g., heating devices, wash water disinfectors, water pumps, motors, and the like). As discussed in more detail below, the washing machine unit 102 preferably has a fluid filling structure 110 (e.g., a hose, a fill port, or the like) for enabling selective supply of wash water thereto, and a fluid draining structure 112 (e.g., a hose, a drain port, a drain pipe, or the like) for enabling selective draining of wash water therefrom.

The washer unit 102 and the dryer unit 104 are individually and/or collectively configured for the dryer unit 104 in a stacked position on top of the washer unit 102. In one or more embodiments, the washer unit 102 and the dryer unit 104 may be contained in the same housing or casing. As discussed in more detail below, the vertical placement of the dryer unit 104 relative to the washer unit 102 may require associated component requirements, such as an alternative/optional water pump for ensuring/providing a desired water flow within and/or between the washer unit 102 and the dryer unit 104.

As shown in fig. 2, the washing machine unit 102 includes a laundry washing tub 114, a washing water tank 116, a washing water sump 118, a water filtering structure 120, a first water pump 122, and a water sterilizer 124. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the wash water flow path 126 extends in a circuitous manner through the laundry washing tub 114, the wash water tank 116, the wash water sump 118, the water filtering structure 120 and the first water pump 122. Specifically, an outlet of wash water tank 116 (i.e., the first wash water container) is in fluid communication with an inlet of laundry washing tub 114. The water outlet of the laundry washing tub 114 is in fluid communication with the water inlet of the washing water sump 118 (i.e., the second washing water container). The inlet of the water filter structure 120 is in fluid communication with the outlet of the wash water sump 118, and the outlet of the water filter structure 120 is in fluid communication with the inlet of the wash water tank 116 via a first water pump 122. One or more electrically-operated flow valves and flow controllers (not specifically shown) may be used to control the flow of wash water through the wash water flow path 126.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid filling structure 110 may be attached to the wash water tank 116 by a dedicated port, by a water inlet (e.g., through a flow selector valve), or the like, for enabling the supply of wash water into the wash water tank 116. In one or more embodiments, the fluid discharge structure 112 may be attached within the wash water flow path 126 (e.g., at the wash sump, the water filtration structure 120, the first water pump 122, or a conduit/fluid conduit extending therebetween) through a dedicated port or outlet thereof (e.g., through a flow selector valve) or the like for used wash water to be able to be discharged.

In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the inner space of the wash water tank 116 is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub 114 for enabling wash water to be supplied from the wash water tank 116 to the laundry washing tub 114 by gravity-only water feed flow. In some embodiments, one or more other water pumps (not shown) may be provided at corresponding positions in addition to the first water pump 122 for enhancing or achieving the flow of water within the wash water flow path 126. For example, a second wash water pump may be provided between the wash water tank and the laundry washing tub 114, e.g. to effect a flow of water therebetween when the wash water tank is located at or below the laundry washing tub 114. The first water pump 122 and any other water pumps of the washing system 100 are each preferably electrically driven pumps that pressurize the flow of wash water. Alternatively, one or more water pumps of the laundry system 100 may be manually driven.

In a preferred embodiment, the wash water tank 116 has an interior space defined in part by a contoured lower wall 128. The contoured lower wall 128 may taper (taper) to a catchment area defined by the lowest position of the interior space of the wash water tank 116. The outlet of the wash water tank 116 may extend through a contoured lower wall 128 in the region of its sump to facilitate gravity feed and complete emptying of wash water from the wash water tank 116.

The wash water sump 118 preferably provides a capture and temporary storage space for wash water drained from the laundry wash tub 114 before it is subsequently filtered (or drained from the wash water flow path 126) at the water filtering structure 120. The washing water sump 118 is preferably a closed tank in which washing water flows into the washing water sump 118 through a water inlet thereof and flows out of the washing water sump 118 through a washing water outlet thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the wash water sump 118 has an interior space defined in part by a contoured lower wall 130. The corrugated lower wall 130 may be tapered to a water collecting area defined by the lowest position of the inner space of the washing water sump 118. The water outlet of the wash sump 118 may extend through a corrugated lower wall 130 within its water collection area to facilitate gravity feed and complete emptying of wash water from the wash sump 118.

The wash water sterilizer 124 is used to kill microorganisms in the wash water, for example, by exposing the wash water to light of a specified wavelength (e.g., Ultraviolet (UV) light) to kill organisms present in the wash water. In one or more embodiments, the wash water sterilizer 124 may be integral with the laundry washing tub 114 and/or the wash water sump 118. In a preferred embodiment, the wash water sterilizer 124 is mounted on the wash water sump 118, and a valve or other device may be provided for allowing wash water to remain within the inner space of the wash water sump 118 before and during activation of the wash water sterilizer 124. One or more other additional wash water sterilizers may be implemented at corresponding positions different from the wash water sterilizer 124.

As shown in fig. 2, the water filtering structure 120 preferably includes a pre-filter 131 and a filter cartridge 132. The pre-filter 131 may be a filter medium (e.g., a screen or the like) that filters out gross contaminants (e.g., physical debris such as lint, small objects, and the like). The filter cartridge 132 is preferably a disposable unit that can treat the wash water to allow the wash water to be reused for multiple instances of the wash cycle. The water filter structure 120, the pre-filter 131 and the water filter cartridge 132 are preferably collectively configured such that all of the wash water flows through the interior spaces of the pre-filter 131 and the filter cartridge 132 before entering the water outlet of the water filter structure 120.

The pre-filter 131 may be a removable (e.g., disposable or cleanable) cartridge or body that cooperates with a mating portion of the water filter structure 120 to form a filter housing. The filter cartridge 132 is preferably a disposable article that includes a main body within which media providing various filtering functions are provided. To facilitate biodegradation of the filter cartridge 132, the body of the filter cartridge 132 may preferably be made of a porous polymeric material, and the polymeric material may preferably be impregnated with at least one enzyme that accelerates biodegradation of the polymeric material. In one or more embodiments, the filter cartridge 132 can provide general and/or microscopic particle filtration, agglomeration (i.e., aggregation of particles/contaminants using an agglomerating agent to achieve removal of undissolved solids), flocculation (i.e., separation of solid particles from a liquid to form loose aggregates, soft flakes, or the like to achieve removal of undissolved solids), and/or organic compound adsorption functions.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, the filter cartridge 132 includes a plurality of filter stages 140 and 150 arranged in an end-to-end manner. Untreated water enters the first of the filtration stages (e.g., filtration stage 140) and treated water exits the last of the filtration stages (e.g., filtration stage 150). Each of the filter stages 140-150 may be disposed within a respective one of the plurality of internal structural sections of the filter cartridge 132. For example, the internal structural sections may be respective chambers within the interior space of the body of the filter cartridge 132, whereby adjacent filter stages are in fluid communication with each other and adjacent internal structural sections associated with the filter stages are in fluid communication with each other, such that wash water flows sequentially through each of the internal structural sections, and thus through respective ones of the filter stages 140 and 150 thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the filter cartridge 132, one or more of the filter stages comprises a filter screen (e.g., for particle filtration), one or more of the filter stages comprises at least one of a polyelectrolyte material component and a salt-based material component (e.g., for flocculation and/or coacervation filtration), and one or more of the filter stages comprises at least one of a particle filtration foam and a particle capture membrane (e.g., for solid filtration). In another preferred embodiment of the filter cartridge 132, a first of the filter stages (e.g., the first filter stage 140) comprises a filter screen, a second of the filter stages (e.g., the second filter stage 142) comprises a hard water-induced (e.g., flocculation) salt-based material composition, a third of the filter stages (e.g., the third filter stage 144) comprises a first microfiltration medium, a fourth of the filter stages (e.g., the fourth filter stage 146) comprises a coalescence-induced salt-based material composition, a fifth of the filter stages (e.g., the fifth filter stage 148) comprises a second microfiltration medium, and a sixth of the filter stages (e.g., the sixth filter stage 150) comprises an organic compound adsorption medium (e.g., activated carbon).

Referring back now to fig. 2, the dryer unit 104 preferably includes a laundry drying tub 160, an air treatment device 162, and a water vapor condenser 164. The laundry drying tub 160 (e.g., its interior space), the air treatment device 162, and the water vapor condenser 164 collectively define an airflow path 166. The airflow path 166 provides airflow through the laundry drying tub 160, the air treatment device 162, and the water vapor condenser 164 (i.e., the airflow structure) in a circuitous manner. In one or more embodiments, such circuitous airflow includes airflow from laundry drying tub 160 through water vapor condenser 164 to air treatment device 162 and from air treatment device 162 to laundry drying tub 160. In one or more other embodiments, the water vapor condenser 164 may be located between the airflow treatment device 162 and the laundry drying tub 160.

The air treatment device 162 may include a blower 168 and a heating apparatus 170. The blower 168 and heating apparatus 170 may be separate system components (e.g., each having separate and distinct housings that collectively define the air treatment device 162), or may be system components housed within a common housing of the air treatment device 162. Blower 168 is an airflow inducer that provides a forced airflow through airflow path 166. Heating apparatus 170 heats (i.e., increases the thermal energy of) the air within airflow path 166 that is delivered to laundry drying tub 160. This air heating causes water (e.g., wash water) within the clothes in clothes drying tub 160 to evaporate and be carried in the air from clothes drying tub 160 to water vapor condenser 164 for extraction from the air by water vapor condenser 164, thereby producing condensed water vapor (i.e., water).

Advantageously, condensed water vapor from the water vapor condenser 164 may be provided from the dryer unit 104 to the washing machine unit 102, thereby allowing wash water used to wash the laundry in the washing machine unit 102 (or other water in the laundry) to be recovered during drying of such laundry in the dryer unit 104. Preferably, the condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser 164 is in fluid communication with the washing machine unit 102 for allowing condensed water vapor from the water vapor condenser 164 to be provided to one or more components of the washing machine unit 102. For example, the condensed water vapor may flow from the water vapor condenser 164 to the wash water tank 116, to the laundry washing tub 114, the wash water sump 118, and/or any other component defining the wash water flow path 126. To facilitate the flow of the condensed water vapor from the dryer unit 104 to the washer unit 102, the condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser 164 may preferably be located at a position above at least a portion of the washer unit 102 (e.g., above the interior space of the wash water tank 116), such that the condensed water vapor from the dryer unit 104 can be provided from the water vapor condenser 164 to the washer unit 102 via gravity-fed flow only. In one or more embodiments, one or more water pumps may be provided in the washing machine unit 102 and/or the dryer unit 104 for directing a flow of water from the dryer unit 104 to the washing machine unit 102.

While the present invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As presently stated and as amended, changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent techniques, structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A washing machine comprising:

a first washing water container;

a laundry washing tub having a water inlet thereof in fluid communication with a water outlet of the first wash water container;

a second wash water container having a water inlet thereof in fluid communication with a water outlet of the laundry washing tub, wherein at least a portion of the interior space of the laundry washing tub is located at a position above the water inlet of the second wash water container, thereby enabling wash water to be provided from the laundry washing tub to the second wash water container by gravity-fed flow only;

a filter cartridge housing having a water inlet thereof in fluid communication with the water outlet of the second wash water container through an inner space of the filter cartridge housing and having a water outlet thereof in fluid communication with the water inlet of the first wash water container; and

a water filter cartridge removably mounted within the interior space of the filter cartridge housing.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a wash water sterilizer that emits ultraviolet light, wherein the wash water sterilizer and at least one of the laundry washing tub and the second wash water container are collectively configured to expose wash water in the second wash water container to the ultraviolet light.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an inner space of the first washing water container is located at a position above a water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling washing water to be supplied from the first washing water container to the laundry washing tub only by gravity-feed water flow.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein an entire portion of an inner space of the first washing water container is located at a position above a water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling washing water to be supplied from the first washing water container to the laundry washing tub only by gravity-feed water flow.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a first water pump having an inlet thereof in fluid communication with the outlet of the filter cartridge housing and having an outlet thereof in fluid communication with the inlet of the first wash water container.

6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said second washing water container having an interior space defined in part by a corrugated lower wall thereof;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof; and

the outlet of the second washing water container extends through the undulated lower wall in the water collecting area thereof.

7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first washing water container having an interior space defined in part by a contoured lower wall thereof;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof;

the water outlet of the first washing water container extends through the wavy lower wall in the water collecting area thereof; and

the water outlet of the first wash water container is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be supplied from the first wash water container to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of an inner space of the first washing water container is located at a position above a water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling washing water to be supplied from the first washing water container to the laundry washing tub only by gravity-feed water flow.

9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said second washing water container having an interior space defined in part by a corrugated lower wall thereof;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof; and

the outlet of the second washing water container extends through the undulated lower wall in the water collecting area thereof.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge housing and the body of the water filter cartridge are collectively configured such that all of the washing water provided into the interior space of the filter cartridge housing passes through the interior space of the body of the water filter cartridge before entering the water outlet of the filter cartridge housing.

11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the filter cartridge comprises a plurality of filter stages;

the filter cartridge includes a cartridge body having a plurality of structural segments;

each of the filtration stages is disposed within a respective one of the structural segments;

the structural segments are arranged in an end-to-end manner; and

adjacent ones of the structural segments are in fluid communication with one another such that wash water flows sequentially through each of the structural segments.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

a first of the filtration stages comprises a screen,

a second of the filtration stages comprises at least one of a polyelectrolyte material component and a salt-based material component; and

a third one of the filtration stages comprises at least one of a particulate filtration foam and a particulate capture membrane.

13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

a first of the filtration stages comprises a screen;

a second of the filtration stages comprises a hard water-induced salt-based material composition;

a third of the filtration stages comprises a first microfiltration media;

a fourth of the filtration stages comprises a coalescence-inducing salt-based material composition;

a fifth of the filtration stages comprises a second microfiltration media; and

the sixth of the filtration stages comprises activated carbon.

14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the cartridge body is made of a porous polymeric material; and

the polymeric material is impregnated with at least one enzyme.

15. A laundry system comprising:

a washing water tank;

a laundry washing tub in fluid communication with the wash water tank to enable wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub, wherein at least a portion of an interior space of the wash water tank is located at a position above a water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only;

a washing sump in fluid communication with the laundry washing tub to enable washing water to be provided from the laundry washing tub to the washing sump, wherein at least a portion of an inner space of the laundry washing tub is located at a position above a water inlet of the washing sump, thereby enabling washing water to be provided from the laundry washing tub to the washing sump only by gravity-fed water flow;

a water filter structure comprising a filter cartridge housing and a water filter cartridge, wherein the filter cartridge housing has its water inlet in fluid communication with the water outlet of the wash sump through an interior space of the filter cartridge housing and has its water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet of the wash tank, wherein the water filter cartridge is removably mounted within the interior space of the filter cartridge housing, and wherein the filter cartridge housing and the main body of the water filter cartridge are collectively configured such that all of the wash water provided into the interior space of the filter cartridge housing passes through the interior space of the main body of the water filter cartridge before entering the water outlet of the filter cartridge housing;

a water vapor condenser in fluid communication with the wash water tank to enable condensed water vapor to be provided from the water vapor condenser to the wash water tank; and

an air flow arrangement including a laundry drying tub, an air treatment device, and the water vapor condenser, wherein the laundry drying tub, the air treatment device, and the water vapor condenser collectively define an air flow path for enabling air flow in a circuitous manner from the laundry drying tub, through the water vapor condenser, to the air treatment device, and from the air treatment device to the laundry drying tub via the air flow path.

16. The laundry system of claim 15, further comprising:

a wash water sterilizer that emits ultraviolet light, wherein the wash water sterilizer and at least one of the laundry washing tub and the wash water sump are collectively configured to expose wash water in the wash water sump to the ultraviolet light.

17. The laundry washing system according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the interior space of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity feed water flow only.

18. The laundry system of claim 17, wherein a condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser is located at a position above at least a portion of the interior space of the wash water tank, such that condensed water vapor can be provided from the water vapor condenser to the interior space of the wash water tank by gravity feed water flow only.

19. The laundry system of claim 18, further comprising:

a first water pump having an inlet thereof in fluid communication with an outlet of the filter cartridge housing and having an outlet thereof in fluid communication with the inlet of the wash water tank.

20. The laundry system of claim 15, wherein:

said wash water tank having an interior space defined in part by a contoured lower wall thereof;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof;

the outlet of the wash water tank extends through the corrugated lower wall in the water collection area thereof; and

the water outlet of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be supplied from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only.

21. The laundry washing system according to claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the interior space of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity feed water flow only.

22. The laundry system of claim 21, wherein:

said wash sump having an interior space defined in part by its undulating lower wall;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof; and

the water outlet of the washing sump extends through the undulated lower wall in the water collection area thereof.

23. The laundry system of claim 15, wherein:

the filter cartridge comprises a plurality of filter stages;

the filter cartridge includes a cartridge body having a plurality of structural segments;

each of the filtration stages is disposed within a respective one of the structural segments;

the structural segments are arranged in an end-to-end manner; and

adjacent ones of the structural segments are in fluid communication with one another such that wash water flows sequentially through each of the structural segments.

24. A laundry system comprising:

a washing machine unit comprising a laundry washing tub, a washing water tank, a washing water sump, a water filtering structure, a first water pump and a washing water sterilizer, wherein a water outlet of the washing water tank is in fluid communication with a water inlet of the laundry washing tub, wherein a water outlet of the laundry washing tub is in fluid communication with a water inlet of the washing water sump, wherein a water inlet of the water filtering structure is in fluid communication with a water outlet of the washing water sump, and a water outlet of the water filtering structure is in fluid communication with a water inlet of the washing water tank through the first water pump, wherein at least a portion of an inner space of the washing water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling washing water to be provided from the washing water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed flow only, wherein the washing water sterilizer emits ultraviolet light, and wherein at least one of the laundry washing tub and the wash water sump, and the wash water sterilizer, are collectively configured to expose wash water within the wash water sump to the ultraviolet light; and

a dryer unit comprising a laundry drying tub, an air treatment device and a water vapor condenser, wherein the laundry drying tub, the air treatment device and the water vapor condenser together define an air flow path for enabling an air flow in a circuitous manner from the laundry drying tub, through the water vapor condenser, to the air treatment device and from the air treatment device to the laundry drying tub via the air flow path, wherein a condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser is located at a position above at least a portion of an interior space of the wash water tank, thereby enabling the condensed water vapor to be provided from the water vapor condenser to the interior space of the wash water tank by gravity-fed water flow only.

25. The laundry washing system of claim 24, wherein the water outlet of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub and the water outlet of the laundry washing tub is located at a position above the water inlet of the wash sump, thereby enabling wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the wash sump through the laundry washing tub by gravity feed water flow only.

26. The laundry system of claim 24, wherein a condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser is in fluid communication with the wash water tank, wherein the condensed water vapor outlet of the water vapor condenser is located at a position above at least a portion of an interior space of the wash water tank, thereby enabling condensed water vapor to be provided from the water vapor condenser to the interior space of the wash water tank by gravity feed water flow alone.

27. The laundry system of claim 24, wherein:

said wash water tank having an interior space defined in part by a contoured lower wall thereof;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof;

the outlet of the wash water tank extends through the corrugated lower wall in the water collection area thereof; and

the water outlet of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be supplied from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity-fed water flow only.

28. The laundry washing system according to claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the interior space of the wash water tank is located at a position above the water inlet of the laundry washing tub for enabling wash water to be provided from the wash water tank to the laundry washing tub by gravity feed water flow only.

29. The laundry system of claim 28, wherein:

said wash sump having an interior space defined in part by its undulating lower wall;

the corrugated lower wall is tapered to a water collection area defined by the lowest position of the interior space thereof; and

the water outlet of the washing sump extends through the undulated lower wall in the water collection area thereof.

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