EP3122928A1 - Improved reversible door for household appliance - Google Patents

Improved reversible door for household appliance

Info

Publication number
EP3122928A1
EP3122928A1 EP14713837.4A EP14713837A EP3122928A1 EP 3122928 A1 EP3122928 A1 EP 3122928A1 EP 14713837 A EP14713837 A EP 14713837A EP 3122928 A1 EP3122928 A1 EP 3122928A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door
assembly
door assembly
opening
pivotable
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP14713837.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3122928B1 (en
Inventor
Isik Ozyaka
Can Sar
Alper Batur
Levent Cinar
Mutlu TUNA
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.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
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 Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP3122928A1 publication Critical patent/EP3122928A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3122928B1 publication Critical patent/EP3122928B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/12Casings; Tubs
    • D06F39/14Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pivotable door for use in a household appliance, in particular a water conducting household appliance such as a domestic washer or dryer in which a swing direction of the pivotable door can be reversed for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing by a customer itself.
  • the present invention also relates to technique for reversing a swing direction of the pivotable door.
  • the pivotable door of a conventional washer/dryer is usually rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through the center of the opening of the laundry drum. Therefore, when reversing a swing direction of the pivotable door, a relative position of the pivotable door with respect to the main body must be kept unchanged.
  • Several techniques have been devised for reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door.
  • the hinge assembly is rendered transferrable from one side of the door/opening to a diametrically opposite side of the door/opening. According to this technique a user with ordinary skill first demounts the hinge assembly from the door and the main body, and remounts the hinge assembly to a diametrically opposing position on the door and the main body.
  • US 2010/0295428 A1 discloses an electric household appliance, in particular a laundry washing/drying machine which has a reversible door.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a pivotable door for use in a household appliance and a household appliance having the same which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a technique which enables a quick and secure reversal of the swing direction of the pivotable door.
  • the pivotable door of the present invention comprises an inner-door assembly and an outer-door assembly.
  • the inner-door assembly leak-tightly closes the opening and is rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through a center of the opening.
  • the outer-door assembly has a hinge assembly and a lock assembly.
  • the hinge assembly and the lock assembly are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly.
  • the inner-door assembly and the outer-door assembly are respectively provided with a first fastening means and a second fastening means which releasably engage with each other.
  • the hinge assembly and the lock assembly are both fastened to the outer-door assembly by non-releasable rivets.
  • first fastening means and the second fastening means include through-holes and threaded-holes respectively which are suitable for screwing the inner-door assembly and the outer-door assembly together.
  • the rotationally asymmetric elements whose relative position with respect to the main body cannot be changed during the reversal operation have been provided as part of the inner-door assembly whereas the elements which need to be rotated during the reversal operation have been provided as part of the outer-door assembly.
  • the sensitive elements of the hinge assembly and the outer-door assembly which cooperate with each other can be protected from deformations. Also by virtue of the non-releasable engagement between the hinge assembly and the outer-door assembly, the customer has been prevented from erroneously demounting the hinge assembly from the outer-door assembly.
  • Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective rear view of a pivotable door according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to mounting it to a main body of a household appliance;
  • Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective rear view of an inner-door assembly of the pivotable door shown in Fig. 1;
  • Figure 3 – is a schematic perspective rear view of an outer-door assembly of the pivotable door shown in Fig. 1;
  • Figure 4 – a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s are schematic views which illustrate assembly steps of a method for reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the pivotable door (1) is suitable for use in a household appliance (2), in particular a dryer (Fig. 4).
  • the household appliance (2) comprises a main body (3), a laundry drum (4) for receiving clothes to be dried, an opening (5) for loading/unloading the laundry drum (4), wherein the opening (5) is formed on a front side of the main body (3) and a pair of mounting seats (6a, 6b) for selectively and releasably mounting a hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing respectively, wherein the mounting seats (6a, 6b) are arranged around the opening (5) so as to diametrically oppose each other.
  • the household appliance (2) also comprises a pivotable door (1) (Fig. 4).
  • the pivotable door (1) of the present invention comprises an inner-door assembly (8a) and an outer-door assembly (8b).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) leak-tightly closes the opening (5).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) is rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through a center of the opening (5).
  • the outer-door assembly (8b) has a hinge assembly (7) and a lock assembly (9).
  • the hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly (8b).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) has a first fastening means (10a) for releasably engaging the inner-door assembly (8a) to the outer-door assembly (8b) via a corresponding second fastening means (10b) of the outer-door assembly (8b) (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • the hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly (8b) by utilizing non-releasable rivets (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • the first fastening means (10a) includes through-holes (11a) for receiving screws (12).
  • the second fastening means (10b) includes threaded-holes (11b) for threadably engaging with the screws (12) which are inserted through said through-holes (11a) (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) include corresponding snap fit portions which releasably engage.
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) comprises a transparent element (13) to allow a user view inside the laundry drum (3).
  • the transparent element (13) has a substantially flat lower portion (14) which renders the inner-door assembly (8a) become rotationally asymmetric with respect to the axis passing through the center of the opening (5).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) also comprises a decorative panel (15) which surrounds the transparent element (13). The decorative element (15) is partly exposed to a front side of the household appliance (2) (Figs. 1, 2 and 4).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) also includes a sealing element (not shown) which leak-tightly seals the opening (5) when the door (1) is in a closed state.
  • the transparent element (13) is made of glass.
  • the elements of the inner-door assembly have been connected by hot driven rivets.
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) includes a protrusion (16) which activates a micro switch (not shown) of the household appliance (2) when the door (1) is in a closed state.
  • the micro switch is arranged above the opening (5).
  • the protrusion (16) is centered midway on an upper portion (17) of the inner-door assembly (8a) so as to oppose the micro switch regardless whether the door (1) is mounted so as to open/close by left-hand swing or right-hand swing (Figs. 1,2, and 4).
  • the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is mounted via either one of the mounting seats (6a, 6b) to the main body (3) to pivotally open/close the opening (5) (Fig. 4).
  • the present invention also provides a method of reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door (1) of the household appliance (2).
  • the pivotable door is opened (Fig. 4a).
  • the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is demounted from its current mounting seat (6a, 6b) on the main body (3) (Figs. 4b-4c).
  • the pivotable door (1) is gently placed on a flat surface (4d).
  • the inner-door assembly (8a) is disengaged from the outer-door assembly (8b) by mutually releasing the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) (Figs. 4e- 4f).
  • the pivotable door (1) is turned upside down without physically separating the inner-door assembly (8a) and the outer-door assembly (8b) (Figs. 4g-4h). Then, the outer-door assembly (8b) is upwardly lifted away from the inner-door assembly (8a) (Fig. 4i). Then, the outer-door assembly (8b) is rotated 180° relative to the inner-door assembly (8a) (Fig. j). Then, the pivotable door (1) is turned upside down (Figs. 4k-4l). Then, the inner-door assembly (8a) is releasably engaged with the outer-door assembly (8b) via the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) (Fig. 4m-4n).
  • the steps involved in the reversal of the pivotable door (1) have been substantially simplified so that even a customer with ordinary skill can quickly reverse the swing direction of the pivotable door (1).
  • the customer has been prevented from erroneously demounting the hinge assembly (7) from the outer-door assembly (8b).
  • the sensitive elements of the hinge assembly (7) and the outer-door assembly (8b) which cooperate with each other have been protected from deformations.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pivotable door (1) for use in a household appliance (2), in particular a dryer comprising a main body (3), a laundry drum (4), an opening (5) for accessing the laundry drum (4) and mounting seats (6a, 6b) for selectively and releasably mounting a hinge assembly (7) of the door (1) for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing respectively. The pivotable door (1) of the present invention comprises an inner-door assembly (8a) for leak- tightly closing the opening (5), wherein the inner-door assembly (8a) is rotationally asymmetric and an outer-door assembly (8b) which has a hinge assembly (7) and a lock assembly (9), wherein the hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly.

Description

    IMPROVED REVERSIBLE DOOR FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE
  • The present invention relates to a pivotable door for use in a household appliance, in particular a water conducting household appliance such as a domestic washer or dryer in which a swing direction of the pivotable door can be reversed for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing by a customer itself. The present invention also relates to technique for reversing a swing direction of the pivotable door.
  • It is common practice in the field of water conducting household appliances to provide, for example, a domestic washer/dryer with a reversible hinge assembly that allows a customer to selectively and releasably mount the pivotable door to a main body of the appliance for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing. When a customer purchases such a household appliance, the swing direction of the pivotable door thereof may not always conform to the customer’s laundry room. Nevertheless, the customer may change, by virtue of the reversible hinge assembly, the swing direction of the door prior to installing the household appliance at its designated location such that the door opens and closes in conformity with the surrounding articles. Thereby, the user can unimpededly load/unload the laundry drum of the washer/dryer.
  • The pivotable door of a conventional washer/dryer is usually rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through the center of the opening of the laundry drum. Therefore, when reversing a swing direction of the pivotable door, a relative position of the pivotable door with respect to the main body must be kept unchanged. Several techniques have been devised for reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door. In a commonly known technique, the hinge assembly is rendered transferrable from one side of the door/opening to a diametrically opposite side of the door/opening. According to this technique a user with ordinary skill first demounts the hinge assembly from the door and the main body, and remounts the hinge assembly to a diametrically opposing position on the door and the main body.
  • US 2010/0295428 A1 discloses an electric household appliance, in particular a laundry washing/drying machine which has a reversible door.
  • When a pivotable door already opens and closes in conformity with the customer’s laundry room, then the customer does not need to change the swing direction of the pivotable door. However, when the customer eventually needs to change the swing direction of the pivotable door in consequence of relocation or the like, then he/she must first demount the hinge assembly, reposition the hinge assembly to a diametrically opposing position, and remount the hinge assembly. When performing these assembly steps, there is a risk that the user deforms the sensitive elements of the hinge assembly and the pivotable door which cooperate with each other. Therefore, such cooperating elements must be robust and fail safe. However, such a hinge assembly increases the costs.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a pivotable door for use in a household appliance and a household appliance having the same which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a technique which enables a quick and secure reversal of the swing direction of the pivotable door.
  • These objectives have been achieved by the pivotable door according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, the household appliance according to the present invention as defined in claim 5, and the method of reversing a swing direction of the pivotable door according to claim 6. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
  • The pivotable door of the present invention comprises an inner-door assembly and an outer-door assembly. The inner-door assembly leak-tightly closes the opening and is rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through a center of the opening. The outer-door assembly has a hinge assembly and a lock assembly. The hinge assembly and the lock assembly are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly. The inner-door assembly and the outer-door assembly are respectively provided with a first fastening means and a second fastening means which releasably engage with each other.
  • In an embodiment, the hinge assembly and the lock assembly are both fastened to the outer-door assembly by non-releasable rivets.
  • In another embodiment, the first fastening means and the second fastening means include through-holes and threaded-holes respectively which are suitable for screwing the inner-door assembly and the outer-door assembly together.
  • In the present invention, the rotationally asymmetric elements whose relative position with respect to the main body cannot be changed during the reversal operation have been provided as part of the inner-door assembly whereas the elements which need to be rotated during the reversal operation have been provided as part of the outer-door assembly. Thereby, the number of steps and the labor involved in the reversal of the pivotable door have been substantially reduced and simplified. Thus, even a person with ordinary skill can quickly reverse the swing direction of the pivotable door. In the present invention by virtue of the inner-door assembly and the outer-door assembly, a swing direction of the pivotable door can be reversed without demounting the hinge assembly from the outer-door assembly. Thereby, the sensitive elements of the hinge assembly and the outer-door assembly which cooperate with each other can be protected from deformations. Also by virtue of the non-releasable engagement between the hinge assembly and the outer-door assembly, the customer has been prevented from erroneously demounting the hinge assembly from the outer-door assembly.
  • Additional advantages of the pivotable door of the present invention and the household appliance of the present invention and the reversal method of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective rear view of a pivotable door according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to mounting it to a main body of a household appliance;
  • Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective rear view of an inner-door assembly of the pivotable door shown in Fig. 1;
  • Figure 3 – is a schematic perspective rear view of an outer-door assembly of the pivotable door shown in Fig. 1;
  • Figure 4 – a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s are schematic views which illustrate assembly steps of a method for reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.
    1. Pivotable door
    2. Household appliance
    3. Main body
    4. Laundry drum
    5. Opening
  • 6a. Mounting seat
  • 6b. Mounting seat
  • 7. Hinge assembly
  • 8a. Inner-door assembly
  • 8b. Outer-door assembly
  • 9. Lock assembly
  • 10a. First fastening means
  • 10b. Second fastening means
  • 11a. Through-hole
  • 11b. Threaded-hole
  • 12. Screw
  • 13. Transparent element
  • 14. Lower portion
  • 15. Decorative element
  • 16. Protrusion
  • 17. Upper portion
  • 18. Non-releasable rivets
  • The pivotable door (1) is suitable for use in a household appliance (2), in particular a dryer (Fig. 4).
  • The household appliance (2) comprises a main body (3), a laundry drum (4) for receiving clothes to be dried, an opening (5) for loading/unloading the laundry drum (4), wherein the opening (5) is formed on a front side of the main body (3) and a pair of mounting seats (6a, 6b) for selectively and releasably mounting a hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing respectively, wherein the mounting seats (6a, 6b) are arranged around the opening (5) so as to diametrically oppose each other. The household appliance (2) also comprises a pivotable door (1) (Fig. 4).
  • The pivotable door (1) of the present invention comprises an inner-door assembly (8a) and an outer-door assembly (8b). The inner-door assembly (8a) leak-tightly closes the opening (5). The inner-door assembly (8a) is rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through a center of the opening (5). The outer-door assembly (8b) has a hinge assembly (7) and a lock assembly (9). The hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly (8b).
  • The inner-door assembly (8a) has a first fastening means (10a) for releasably engaging the inner-door assembly (8a) to the outer-door assembly (8b) via a corresponding second fastening means (10b) of the outer-door assembly (8b) (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • In an embodiment, the hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly (8b) by utilizing non-releasable rivets (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • In another embodiment, the first fastening means (10a) includes through-holes (11a) for receiving screws (12). In this embodiment, the second fastening means (10b) includes threaded-holes (11b) for threadably engaging with the screws (12) which are inserted through said through-holes (11a) (Figs. 1 to 4).
  • In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) include corresponding snap fit portions which releasably engage.
  • In another embodiment, the inner-door assembly (8a) comprises a transparent element (13) to allow a user view inside the laundry drum (3). The transparent element (13) has a substantially flat lower portion (14) which renders the inner-door assembly (8a) become rotationally asymmetric with respect to the axis passing through the center of the opening (5). In this embodiment, the inner-door assembly (8a) also comprises a decorative panel (15) which surrounds the transparent element (13). The decorative element (15) is partly exposed to a front side of the household appliance (2) (Figs. 1, 2 and 4). In this embodiment, the inner-door assembly (8a) also includes a sealing element (not shown) which leak-tightly seals the opening (5) when the door (1) is in a closed state. In a version of this embodiment, the transparent element (13) is made of glass. In another version of this embodiment, the elements of the inner-door assembly have been connected by hot driven rivets.
  • In another embodiment, the inner-door assembly (8a) includes a protrusion (16) which activates a micro switch (not shown) of the household appliance (2) when the door (1) is in a closed state. The micro switch is arranged above the opening (5). In this embodiment, the protrusion (16) is centered midway on an upper portion (17) of the inner-door assembly (8a) so as to oppose the micro switch regardless whether the door (1) is mounted so as to open/close by left-hand swing or right-hand swing (Figs. 1,2, and 4).
  • In the household appliance (2) of the present invention, the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is mounted via either one of the mounting seats (6a, 6b) to the main body (3) to pivotally open/close the opening (5) (Fig. 4).
  • The present invention also provides a method of reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door (1) of the household appliance (2). First, the pivotable door is opened (Fig. 4a). Then, the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is demounted from its current mounting seat (6a, 6b) on the main body (3) (Figs. 4b-4c). Then, the pivotable door (1) is gently placed on a flat surface (4d). Then, the inner-door assembly (8a) is disengaged from the outer-door assembly (8b) by mutually releasing the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) (Figs. 4e- 4f). Then, the pivotable door (1) is turned upside down without physically separating the inner-door assembly (8a) and the outer-door assembly (8b) (Figs. 4g-4h). Then, the outer-door assembly (8b) is upwardly lifted away from the inner-door assembly (8a) (Fig. 4i). Then, the outer-door assembly (8b) is rotated 180° relative to the inner-door assembly (8a) (Fig. j). Then, the pivotable door (1) is turned upside down (Figs. 4k-4l). Then, the inner-door assembly (8a) is releasably engaged with the outer-door assembly (8b) via the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) (Fig. 4m-4n). Then, the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is remounted to the other mounting seat (6a, 6b) of the main body (3) (Fig. 4p - 4r). Thereby, the swing direction of the pivotable door (1) has been reversed (Fig. 4s).
  • In the present invention by virtue of the compositions of the inner-door assembly (8a) and the outer-door assembly (8b) the steps involved in the reversal of the pivotable door (1) have been substantially simplified so that even a customer with ordinary skill can quickly reverse the swing direction of the pivotable door (1). By virtue of the non-releasable engagement between the hinge assembly (7) and the outer-door assembly (8b), the customer has been prevented from erroneously demounting the hinge assembly (7) from the outer-door assembly (8b). Thereby, the sensitive elements of the hinge assembly (7) and the outer-door assembly (8b) which cooperate with each other have been protected from deformations.

Claims (6)

  1. A pivotable door (1) for use in a household appliance (2), in particular a dryer comprising a main body (3), a laundry drum (4) for receiving clothes to be dried, an opening (5) for loading/unloading the laundry drum (4), wherein the opening (5) is formed on a front side of the main body (3) and a pair of mounting seats (6a, 6b) for selectively and releasably mounting a hinge assembly (7) of the door (1) for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing respectively, wherein the mounting seats (6a, 6b) are arranged around the opening (5) so as to diametrically oppose each other,
    characterized in that
    - an inner-door assembly (8a) for leak-tightly closing the opening (5), wherein the inner-door assembly (8a) is rotationally asymmetric with respect to an axis passing through a center of the opening (5),
    - an outer-door assembly (8b) which has a hinge assembly (7) and a lock assembly (9),
    wherein the hinge assembly (7) and the lock assembly (9) are both non-releasably fastened to the outer-door assembly (8b) and
    wherein the inner-door assembly (8a) has a first fastening means (10a) for releasably engaging the inner-door assembly (8a) to the outer-door assembly (8b) via a corresponding second fastening means (10b) of the outer-door assembly (8b).
  2. The pivotable door (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first fastening means (10a) includes through-holes (11a) for receiving screws (12), and the second fastening means (10b) includes threaded-holes (11b) for threadably engaging with the screws (12) which are inserted through said through-holes (11a).
  3. The pivotable door (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
    the inner-door assembly (8a) comprising
    - a transparent element (13) to allow a user view inside the laundry drum (3), wherein the transparent element (13) has a substantially flat lower portion (14) which renders the inner-door assembly (8a) become rotationally asymmetric with respect to the axis passing through the center of the opening (5),
    - a decorative element (15) which surrounds the transparent element (13), wherein the decorative element (15) is partly exposed to a front side of the household appliance (2) and
    - a sealing element for leak-tightly sealing the opening (5) when the door (1) is in a closed state.
  4. The pivotable door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
    the inner-door assembly (8a) comprising a protrusion (16) configured to activate a micro switch of the household appliance (2) which is arranged above the opening (5), wherein the protrusion (16) is centered midway on an upper portion (17) of the inner-door assembly (8a) so as to oppose the micro switch regardless whether the door (1) is mounted so as to open/close by left-hand swing or right-hand swing.
  5. A household appliance (2), in particular a dryer comprising
    - a main body (3),
    - a laundry drum (4) for receiving clothes to be dried,
    - an opening (5) for loading/unloading the laundry drum (4), wherein the opening (5) is formed on a front side of the main body (3),
    - a pair of mounting seats (6a, 6b) for selectively and releasably mounting a hinge assembly (7) of a pivotable door (1) for either left-hand swing or right-hand swing respectively, wherein the mounting seats (6a, 6b) are arranged around the opening (5) so as to diametrically oppose each other,
    characterized in that
    a pivotable door (1) according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) is mounted via either one of the mounting seats (6a, 6b) to the main body (3) to pivotally open/close the opening (5).
  6. A method of reversing a swing direction of a pivotable door (1) of a household appliance (2) as defined in claim 5, comprising the steps of:
    - demounting the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) from its current mounting seat (6a, 6b) on the main body (3),
    - disengaging the inner-door assembly (8a) from the outer-door assembly (8b) by mutually releasing the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b),
    - rotating the outer-door assembly (8b) 180° relative to the inner-door assembly (8a),
    - releasably engaging the inner-door assembly (8a) with the outer-door assembly (8b) via the first fastening means (10a) and the second fastening means (10b) and
    - mounting the hinge assembly (7) of the pivotable door (1) to the other mounting seat (6a, 6b) of the main body (3).
EP14713837.4A 2014-03-28 2014-03-28 Improved reversible door for household appliance Active EP3122928B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2014/056291 WO2015144236A1 (en) 2014-03-28 2014-03-28 Improved reversible door for household appliance

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3122928A1 true EP3122928A1 (en) 2017-02-01
EP3122928B1 EP3122928B1 (en) 2022-03-09

Family

ID=50391181

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14713837.4A Active EP3122928B1 (en) 2014-03-28 2014-03-28 Improved reversible door for household appliance

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3122928B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2015144236A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107829262A (en) * 2017-11-06 2018-03-23 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 A kind of device for clothing processing

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019107857A1 (en) * 2017-11-28 2019-06-06 엘지전자 주식회사 Clothing treatment device
WO2020135984A1 (en) 2018-12-25 2020-07-02 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a door with changeable opening direction
DE102020100945B4 (en) 2019-02-01 2022-12-08 Lg Electronics Inc. laundry treatment device
CN111519408B (en) * 2019-02-01 2022-09-27 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating device
CN111519411B (en) 2019-02-01 2022-09-27 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating apparatus
CN111519407B (en) 2019-02-01 2022-10-21 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating apparatus
CN111519412B (en) 2019-02-01 2023-01-03 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating device
CN111519406A (en) 2019-02-01 2020-08-11 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating device
CN111519409B (en) 2019-02-01 2022-09-09 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating device
CN111519410B (en) 2019-02-01 2022-09-27 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating device
US12338568B2 (en) 2019-02-01 2025-06-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Clothes processing apparatus
CN111519416B (en) 2019-02-01 2023-05-30 Lg电子株式会社 Clothes treating apparatus
KR102333379B1 (en) 2019-02-01 2021-12-03 엘지전자 주식회사 Laundry treating apparatus
WO2022242389A1 (en) * 2021-05-20 2022-11-24 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 Laundry treatment device
US12486607B2 (en) 2022-11-29 2025-12-02 Whirlpool Corporation Inner-facing panel for an operable door of an appliance

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2077349B1 (en) 2007-12-31 2014-12-10 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Electric household appliance
KR20110013007A (en) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-09 엘지전자 주식회사 Clothes handling device with door assembly
US8127464B2 (en) * 2009-07-31 2012-03-06 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Front ring for a household appliance door
MX2010005581A (en) * 2010-05-19 2011-11-18 Mabe Sa De Cv Door with single glass pane for dryer.
WO2013088940A1 (en) * 2011-12-12 2013-06-20 シャープ株式会社 Washing machine
KR102058850B1 (en) * 2013-04-26 2019-12-24 삼성전자주식회사 Door assembly and laundry having the same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107829262A (en) * 2017-11-06 2018-03-23 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 A kind of device for clothing processing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2015144236A1 (en) 2015-10-01
EP3122928B1 (en) 2022-03-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2015144236A1 (en) Improved reversible door for household appliance
EP2147996B1 (en) Reversible door assembly for a front loading laundry treating machine
US7802855B2 (en) Home appliance having a door
WO2020082761A1 (en) An appliance with a retractable and slidable door
EP2871279B1 (en) Washing machine and method of manufacturing door thereof
US10655269B2 (en) Washing machine
US10640907B2 (en) Laundry treatment machine
US20110296630A1 (en) Appliance lid having a viewing window partially encapsulated between one or more clamshells
US11591737B2 (en) Washing machine and method of controlling the same
US7363781B2 (en) Reversible door
US20130232810A1 (en) Door handle for a washing machine or dryer appliance
JP3801167B2 (en) Drum washing machine
US20200370221A1 (en) Automatic transferring washer and dryer combination appliance
GB2081858A (en) Domestic appliance
CN107257872A (en) clothes dryer
EP2929077B1 (en) Laundry treatment device with door assembly
WO2008104337A1 (en) Front loader washing machine with improved door
US9803310B1 (en) Appliance interface and input chassis
EP2843109B1 (en) Laundry treatment machine
US20230030540A1 (en) Laundry device
ATE399898T1 (en) TOP-LOADING WASHING MACHINE WITH DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM
CN106605104B (en) Household appliance with input device blocking mechanism
JP6568814B2 (en) Clothing processing equipment
US20180340289A1 (en) Door handle for a door of a front-loading household appliance
EP3040464B1 (en) Washing machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20160728

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20210326

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20220104

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1474249

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220315

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602014082771

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220609

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220609

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1474249

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220610

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220711

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220709

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20220331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602014082771

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220328

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220331

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220328

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220331

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20221212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220509

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20140328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220309

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20250325

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20260324

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20260319

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Payment date: 20260305

Year of fee payment: 13