EP3066252A1

EP3066252A1 - Treatment method for treating textile articles

Info

Publication number: EP3066252A1
Application number: EP14799013.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuliana Latini; Mauro MANCINI; Ilenia PELLICCIARI
Original assignee: Indesit Co SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2013-11-07
Filing date: 2014-11-05
Publication date: 2016-09-14
Also published as: WO2015068109A1; ITPR20130088A1

Abstract

A treatment method for treating textile articles, comprising a washing procedure (A) that minimizes the formation of wrinkles on the articles. The washing procedure (A) is implemented by a washing machine (1) comprising a washing compartment (2) in which a drum (3) designed to hold the textile articles to be washed can rotate. The washing procedure (A) comprises the steps of: • -inserting (A1) an amount of washing liquid into the washing compartment (2); the insertion (A1) of said amount of washing liquid taking place, at least in part, simultaneously with the rotation of the drum (3); said amount of washing liquid being greater than 5 litres per kilogram of textile articles to be washed; • -heating (A2) the washing liquid, the washing liquid remaining at an average temperature lower than 40°C for the entire duration of the washing procedure (A); • -executing a plurality of intervals in which the drum (3) rotates at a rotation speed exceeding 100 revolutions/min, each of said intervals being of a duration of less than 1 minute.

Description

TREATMENT METHOD FOR TREATING TEXTILE ARTICLES

Technical field

The object of the present invention is a treatment method for treating textile articles.

State of the art

There are prior-art washing machines comprising a plurality of washing programmes, each developed with specific aims. For example specific washing programmes exist for delicate articles or for coloured articles, etc.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the basic technical task of the present invention is to offer a method that makes it possible to carry out a wash of textile articles (and possibly also the drying thereof) that makes it possible to minimize the formation of wrinkles. A further aim of the present invention is to make it possible to wash cottons and synthetics at the same time, so as to make it possible to do one daily wash of the garments utilized in one day by a family made up of 3-4 members.

The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a method comprising the technical characteristics stated in one or more of the attached claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a treatment method for treating textile articles, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

-Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a washing machine that implements the method according to the invention;

-Figure 2 is a graph showing the total consumption of water (dotted line) and the average temperature measured inside a washing compartment (broken line), as a function of time, with reference to the method according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The object of the present invention is a treatment method for treating textile articles. This method comprises a washing procedure A that minimizes the formation of wrinkles on the articles. The washing procedure A is implemented by a washing machine 1 comprising a washing compartment 2 in which a drum 3 designed to hold the textile articles to be washed can rotate.

The washing procedure A comprises the step of inserting A1 an amount of washing liquid of over 5 litres per kilogram of textile articles to be washed, into the washing compartment 2 (insertion of the liquid is advantageously divided up over a number of points in time).

This is important given that a large amount of water with respect to the load allows the laundry to extend and unfold inside the drum 3, preventing the formation of compact clumps of textile articles (which would inevitably cause wrinkles to form). The weight of the textile articles to be washed placed in the drum is suitably less than 3 kilograms. This limit could possibly be indicated in the User's Manual for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of the user (so that the user does not load the washing machine with laundry exceeding 3 kg in weight; otherwise the amount of washing liquid inserted by default by the washing machine 1 could be insufficient to implement the method according to the present invention). In one particular alternative construction, the amount of washing liquid inserted is regulated automatically as a function of the weight of the articles placed in the drum 3 (load). In this case, the insertion of said amount of liquid is thus associated with a step of measuring the weight of the articles placed in the drum. The weighing may take place directly by means of a weight sensor or indirectly for example as a function of the amount of water needed to soak the laundry.

The washing liquid typically comprises a mixture of water and at least a chemical detergent. Insertion A1 of said amount of washing liquid takes place, at least in part, simultaneously with the rotation of the drum 3. Specifically, the insertion A1 of said amount of washing liquid takes place, at least in part, simultaneously with the rotation of the drum at a speed exceeding 60 revolutions/minute (particularly at a speed ranging between 85 and 90 revolutions/minute). This enables rapid activation of the chemical detergent.

The washing procedure A further comprises a step of heating A2 the washing liquid, keeping it at an average temperature lower than 40°C (preferably lower than 35°C). The average temperature of the washing liquid is lower than 40°C (preferably 35°C) for the entire duration of the washing procedure A. Maintaining a low temperature of the washing liquid is very important given that high temperatures contribute to setting wrinkles into articles.

The step A2 of heating the liquid comprises a step A21 of increasing the average temperature of the liquid from room temperature (the step of increasing the temperature advantageously terminates upon detection, by a sensor, of a predetermined temperature ranging between 30 and 35°C; this sensor is suitably located in the washing compartment 2).

The washing procedure A further comprises subsequent maintaining A22 of the average temperature of the liquid within a range comprised between

30 and 35°C (by means of a thermostat that regulates any possible heating of the washing liquid).

Following said step for maintaining A22 the temperature, the washing procedure A comprises a step in which the washing liquid is allowed to cool.

During the heating step A2, the drum 3 alternates:

- a step of rotation at a non-zero rotation speed, but lower than 90 revolutions/minute; and

- a step in which it remains stationary.

This allows for delicate mechanical movement that does not create wrinkles on the textile articles. In fact, with an increase in the rotation speed of the drum 3, there is an increase in the centrifugal force, which pushes the articles against the outer walls of the drum 3 with the risk of wrinkles forming (if this situation persists for prolonged periods of time). As mentioned previously, insertion of the washing liquid can take place several times. In particular, the insertion of the washing liquid comprises the addition A3 of a first additional amount of the washing liquid. This conveniently takes place without having discharged the washing liquid previously inserted in the washing compartment. This makes it possible to further dilute the dirt and relax the fibres of the textile articles. The washing liquid added during the step A3 indicated above may or may not have the same physico-chemical composition as the washing liquid inserted previously. While said first additional amount of washing liquid is being added A3, the drum 3 alternates a first operating mode in which it is stationary and a second operating mode in which the rotation thereof is within a range comprised between 20 and 30 revolutions/minute.

The washing procedure A further comprises a plurality of intervals in which the drum 3 rotates at a rotation speed exceeding 100 revolutions/min, each of said intervals being of a duration of less than 1 minute. In particular, the washing procedure A comprises a plurality of intervals in which the rotation speed of the drum 3 ranges between 200 and 400 revolutions/min. Each interval of this plurality of intervals is conveniently of a duration of less than 5 seconds. This solution makes it possible to reduce the amount of water absorbed by the laundry at the end of the washing cycle, without, however, carrying out prolonged spin cycles, which would leave wrinkles in the laundry.

The washing procedure can comprise a first rinse A5. As is known, rinses are part of the final stage of the washing procedure A. The execution of one of said intervals in which the drum 3 rotates at a speed exceeding 100 revolutions/minute for less than one minute can be comprised prior to the first rinse A5. As indicated previously, said interval is preferably of a duration of less than 5 seconds and the rotation speed of the drum 3 ranges between 200 and 400 revolutions/minute. The first rinse A5 comprises prior discharge of the washing liquid previously inserted in the compartment 2 and the insertion of a new amount of washing liquid, maintaining a ratio of litres of water to kilograms of articles to be washed greater than 6. For over 90% of the first rinse, the drum rotates at a speed lower than 30 revolutions/minute (a speed lower than 30 revolutions/minute also means that the speed may be zero). In particular, for over 90% of the duration of the first rinse A5, the drum 3 alternates a first operating mode in which it is stationary and a second operating mode in which it rotates at a speed within a range comprised between 20 and 30 revolutions/minute. In general, the alternation of the various rotation speeds taking place during the washing procedure A makes it possible to move the textile articles, preventing them from remaining stationary in the same position all the time, but also preventing them from rolling up around each other.

The first rinse A5 conveniently comprises a step in which for a time period of less than 5 seconds, the drum 3 rotates at a speed ranging between 200 e 400 revolutions/minute. The first rinse A5 comprises discharging the washing liquid utilized.

The washing procedure A can further comprise a second rinse A6.

The second rinse A6 comprises the insertion of a new amount of washing liquid, maintaining a ratio of "litres of water" to "kilograms of articles to be washed" greater than 7. For over 90% of the second rinse A6, the drum 3 remains at a speed lower than 30 revolutions/minute (a speed lower than 30 revolutions/minute also means that the speed may be zero). In particular, for over 90% of the second rinse A6, the drum 3 alternates a first operating mode in which it is stationary and a second operating mode in which it rotates at a speed ranging between 20 and 30 revolutions/minute.

The second rinse A6 conveniently comprises a first and a second spin cycle in which the drum 3 rotates at a speed exceeding 500 revolutions/minute. The first spin cycle is conveniently of a duration of less than 5 seconds and the second spin cycle is of a duration of less than 40 seconds. Between the first and the second spin cycles, the rotation of the drum 3 acts in such a manner that the articles extend in the drum 3. Lastly, the second rinse comprises discharging of the washing liquid utilized.

Conveniently, for over 90% of the duration of the washing procedure A, the drum 3 alternates intervals in which it does not exceed 30 revolutions/min and intervals within which it reaches a value comprised between 80 and 100 revolutions/min. This makes it possible to obtain intervals with faster rotation of the drum, which foster the elimination of dirt, as well as intervals with slower rotation of the drum, which make it possible to avoid the continuation of fast rotation that would result in setting wrinkles into the articles.

The method further comprises a drying procedure B that minimizes the formation of wrinkles on the textile articles washed with said washing procedure A. The drying procedure B is implemented by said washing machine 1 , which thus defines a washer-dryer. In fact, the washer-dryer is adapted for executing a drying cycle of the condensation drying type. Note that the dotted line in Figure 2 referring to water consumption rises also with the drying procedure B. In this case, the consumption of water is not attributable to the washing liquid, but to the fact that to promote condensation of the moisture present in the air exiting the drum 3, additional water is inserted in the washer-dryer, for example water sprayed by special nozzles against the moist air exiting the drum 3.

The treatment method conveniently comprises activation of the washing procedure A and of the consecutive drying procedure B, by supplying an input to the washer-dryer before the washing procedure A starts. This input can for example consist in the activation of a button or of a combination of buttons. At the end of the washing procedure A, the washer-dryer will then implement the drying procedure B without any need for further input on the part of the user. The drying procedure B comprises a step for heating B1 a gaseous fluid that is directed against the laundry to be dried placed in said drum 3. The fluid directed towards the laundry is at a temperature lower than 70°C inside the drum 3.

The heating step B1 comprises a first and a second heating ramp B1 1 , B12 of the fluid, between which there is a step B10 in which the temperature of the fluid decreases or remains constant or in any case increases at a lower rate than in the first and second ramps B1 1 , B12. The drying procedure B further comprises a step for maintaining the temperature of the fluid directed towards the articles between 60 and 65°C.

During the drying procedure B for more than 80% of the period in which the drum 3 is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 60 and 90 revolutions/min.

In particular:

-during the drying procedure B for more than 60% of the period in which the drum is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 60 and 64 revolutions/min;

- during the drying procedure B for less than 40% of the period in which the drum is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 86 and 90 revolutions/min.

This alternation of speeds is very important for minimizing the formation of wrinkles. When the rotation speed is within the range of 60 to 64 revolutions/minute, the load remains substantially suspended in the drum 3, lying very briefly on the bottom. When the rotation speed is within the range of 86 to 90 revolutions/minute, the washer-dryer delicately loosens the fabric, limiting the formation of wrinkles.

Conveniently, for the entire duration of the drying procedure B, the rotation speed of the drum 3 is lower than 90 revolutions/min (meaning that it can also be a zero speed).

The present invention offers numerous advantages. In particular, it enables optimization of the wash parameters for the purpose of minimizing the formation of wrinkles on the articles to be washed.

Furthermore, it makes it possible to facilitate the execution of washes, enabling the realization of a cycle that washes and dries articles made of cotton fabrics and synthetic fabrics up to a weight of 3 kg with only one input command (without the need to provide an additional command in order to start the drying cycle).

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept which characterises it. Moreover, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. All the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be of any type, according to requirements.

Claims

1 . A treatment method for treating textile articles, comprising a washing procedure (A) that minimizes the formation of wrinkles on the articles, said washing procedure (A) being implemented by a washing machine (1 ) comprising a washing compartment (2) wherein a drum (3) designed to hold the textile articles to be washed can rotate; said washing procedure (A) being characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

-inserting (A1 ) an amount of liquid of over 5 litres per kilogram of textile articles to be washed, into the washing compartment (2); the insertion (A1 ) of said amount of washing liquid taking place, at least in part, simultaneously with the rotation of the drum (3);

-heating (A2) the washing liquid, the washing liquid remaining at an average temperature lower than 40°C for the entire duration of the washing procedure (A);

-executing a plurality of intervals in which the drum (3) rotates at a rotation speed exceeding 100 revolutions/min, each of said intervals being of a duration of less than 1 minute.

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the step of executing said plurality of intervals, in which the drum (3) rotates at a rotation speed exceeding 100 revolutions/min, comprises the execution of a plurality of intervals in which the rotation speed of the drum (3) ranges between 200 and 400 revolutions/min, each one of said intervals in which the rotation speed of the drum (3) ranges between 200 and 400 revolutions/min being of a duration of less than 5 seconds.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step

(A2) of heating the liquid comprises a step (A21 ) of increasing the average temperature of the liquid from room temperature; the washing procedure (A) comprising a step for maintaining (A22) the average temperature of the liquid within a range comprised between 30 and 35°C, said step (A22) of maintaining the temperature following the step (A2) of heating the liquid.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for over 90% of the duration of the washing procedure (A), the rotation speed of the drum (3) alternates intervals in which it is lower than 30 revolutions/min and intervals within which it reaches a value comprised between 80 and 100 revolutions/min.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a drying procedure (B) that minimizes the formation of wrinkles on the textile articles washed with said washing procedure (A), said drying procedure (B) being implemented by said washing machine (1 ), which thus defines a washer-dryer.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the drying procedure (B) comprises a step for heating (B1 ) a gaseous fluid that is directed against the laundry to be dried placed in said drum (3), said fluid being at an average temperature lower than 70°C inside the drum (3) for the entire duration of the drying procedure (B).

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that during the drying procedure (B), for more than 80% of the period in which the drum is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 60 and 90 revolutions/min.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that:

-during the drying procedure (B), for more than 60% of the period in which the drum is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 60 and 64 revolutions/min;

-during the drying procedure (B) for less than 40% of the period in which the drum is rotating, the speed of rotation thereof is comprised between 86 and 90 revolutions/min.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that for the entire duration of the drying procedure (B), the rotation speed of the drum is lower than 90 revolutions/min.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the activation of the washing procedure (A) and of the consecutive drying procedure (B) is determined by supplying an input to the washer- dryer before the washing procedure (A) starts.