EP3387177A1

EP3387177A1 - Detergent drawer for use in a laundry washing-drying machine

Info

Publication number: EP3387177A1
Application number: EP15804833.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cetin PALIGRAT; Cem SECIM; Murat CARPAR; Saban ALKILIC
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-12-07
Filing date: 2015-12-07
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: WO2017097318A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent drawer (1) for use in a laundry washing-drying machine (2). The detergent drawer (1) comprises: a chamber (3) for selectively receiving powder or liquid detergent; an inlet (4) for receiving water; and an outlet (5) for discharging the mixture of water and powder/liquid detergent. The detergent drawer (1) of the present invention further comprises a barrier (6) without a siphon, wherein the barrier (6) selectively unblocks or blocks the flow path between the inlet (4) and the outlet (5) so as to dam up the liquid detergent up to a predetermined level; and a plurality of holes (7) formed into the barrier (6) which allow the dammed up mixture to seep through, wherein the positions and the shapes of the holes (7) are arranged such that the corresponding liquid passage area (A) increases downwards at least in the lower region of the barrier (6).

Description

DETERGENT DRAWER FOR USE IN A LAUNDRY WASHING-DRYING MACHINE

The present invention relates to the detergent drawer of a laundry washing-drying machine.
Laundry washing-drying machines are commonly known in the art. A laundry washing -drying machine is generally provided with a detergent drawer which has at least one chamber that is suitable for selectively receiving powder detergent or liquid detergent. The detergent drawer is generally extendably disposed into a slot of the laundry washing-drying machine and can be pulled out by the user for the replenishment operation by means of a grip that is formed into the front cover thereof. The chamber of the detergent drawer generally comprises an inlet for receiving water; and an outlet for discharging the mixture of water and powder/liquid detergent into the tub. Household appliance manufacturers generally provide the laundry washing-drying machine with an auxiliary siphon device which can be detachably attached into the chamber so as to enable the user to fill the chamber with liquid detergent. When the laundry washing-drying machine is taken into operation, the chamber is supplied with water, and then the mixture of water and liquid detergent is siphoned into the tub.
WO2011/080088 A2 discloses a laundry washing-drying machine which comprises a detergent drawer.
A problem with the prior art detergent drawer is that is the auxiliary siphon device is comparatively expensive. In addition, the components of the auxiliary siphon device are commonly placed into a mesh bag which incurs additional costs both in terms of labor and material. Moreover, the mesh bag, including the auxiliary siphon device occupies a relatively large space. Another problem with the prior art detergent drawer is that the production process of the various components of the auxiliary siphon device is complicated and vulnerable to failure. In addition, such failures necessitate rework which is time-consuming and cost intensive. Another problem with the prior art detergent drawer is that the auxiliary siphon device must be removed from the chamber when the user decides to use powder detergent. In such instances the auxiliary siphon device becomes easily lost.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a detergent drawer for use in a laundry washing-drying machine which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which has an improved usability.
This objective has been achieved by the detergent drawer as defined in claim 1, and the laundry washing-drying machine as defined in claim 8. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
The detergent drawer of the present invention comprises a barrier without a siphon, wherein the barrier is adapted to selectively unblock or block the flow path between the inlet and the outlet so as to dam up the liquid detergent up to a predetermined level; and a plurality of holes which are each formed into the barrier and adapted to allow the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to seep through the barrier, wherein the positions and the shapes of the plurality of holes are arranged such that the corresponding liquid passage area increases downwards at least in a lower region of the barrier.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user is enabled to selectively use powder detergent or liquid detergent when replenishing the laundry washing-drying machine. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the barrier without the siphon is comparatively less expensive than the auxiliary siphon device known in the art. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the barrier without the siphon occupies comparatively less space than the auxiliary siphon device known in the art. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the special arrangement of the holes in the barrier improves the flow of the mixture of water and liquid detergent towards the outlet, and thus expedites the discharge thereof into the tub. Thereby, the washing performance can be improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the special arrangement of the holes in the barrier suppresses the formation of foam.
In alternative embodiments, the holes are arranged into a random pattern or a regular pattern. The number of the holes and/or the cross section of the holes and/or the interspacing between the holes may be varied. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the liquid passage area can be formed in various different ways.
In another embodiment, the barrier is detachably attachable to the chamber through an attachment means. In alternative embodiments, the attachment means comprises a releasable form-fitting connection and/or a releasable force-fitting connection. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the barrier can be easily detached by the user and kept outside the chamber when he/she decides to use powder detergent. Thereby, the surface of the barrier can be prevented from receiving any incrustations of powder detergent, and in particular the holes of the barrier can be prevented from clogging up with the powder detergent.
In another embodiment, the barrier can be stowed away in a receptacle which has been formed into the detergent drawer. In another embodiment, the receptacle is formed into the side walls between the adjacent chambers. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the barrier can be safely stowed away when the user decides to use powder detergent. Thereby, the barrier can be prevented from getting lost and can be kept within reach.
In another embodiment, a grip is formed onto the barrier which allows the user to manipulate the same. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can easily attach the barrier into the chamber or easily detach the barrier from the chamber. Thereby the user can also easily push the barrier into the receptacle or easily pull the barrier out of the receptacle.
In another embodiment, the barrier is produced as a single piece. The barrier may be produced from plastic material. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the number of parts can be decreased and the costs can be reduced. Thereby, also the barrier can be handled more easily.
In another embodiment, the barrier has an overflow opening which allows the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to flow over the barrier. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the liquid detergent can be quickly discharged out of the chamber via the outlet when water is flushed through the chamber.
In another embodiment, one or more signs are provided on the front side of the barrier. In alternative embodiments, the signs instruct the user to use detergent in liquid form and indicate one or more fill levels. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the user can immediately obtain detailed information on the replenishment of the liquid detergent.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the detergent drawer and the laundry washing-drying machine of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 - is a schematic perspective view of a laundry washing-drying machine which has a detergent drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 - is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the detergent drawer of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 - is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the detergent drawer of Fig. 1;
Figure 4 - is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the barrier for detachably attaching into the respective chamber of the detergent drawer of Fig. 1;
Figure 5 - is a schematic enlarged front view of the barrier of Fig. 4;
Figure 6 - is a schematic enlarged partial view of the plurality of holes of the barrier according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 - is a schematic enlarged partial view of the plurality of holes of the barrier according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 - is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent that seeps through the barrier.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Detergent drawer
Laundry washing-drying machine
Chamber
Inlet
Outlet
Barrier
Hole
Attachment means

8a. Alignment pin
8b. Alignment channel
8c. Retaining claw
9. Receptacle
10. Grip
11. Overflow opening
12. Sign
A: Liquid passage area which is defined through the holes (7).
The detergent drawer (1) is suitable for use in a laundry washing-drying machine (2) (Fig. 1).
The detergent drawer (1) comprises at least one chamber (3) for selectively receiving powder detergent or liquid detergent, an inlet (4) for receiving water into the chamber (3) and an outlet (5) for discharging the mixture of water and powder/liquid detergent out of the chamber (3) (Fig. 2).
The detergent drawer (1) of the present invention further comprises a barrier without a siphon, wherein the barrier (6) is adapted to selectively unblock or block the flow path between the inlet (4) and the outlet (5) so as to dam up the liquid detergent up to a predetermined level and a plurality of holes (7) which are each formed into the barrier (6) and adapted to allow the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to seep through the barrier (6), wherein the positions and the shapes of the plurality of holes (7) are arranged such that the corresponding liquid passage area (A) increases downwards at least in the lower region of the barrier (6) (Fig. 3).
The laundry washing-drying machine (2) of the present invention comprises the detergent drawer (1) (Fig. 1).
In another embodiment, the holes (7) are arranged into a vertical array of horizontal rows (Fig. 1 to 7).
In another embodiment, one or more horizontal rows at the beginning of the vertical array each has only one hole (7) (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).
In another embodiment, the number of the holes (7) in the horizontal rows increases downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6) (Fig. 5 to 7).
In another embodiment, the number of the holes (7) and the cross section of the holes (7) in the horizontal rows both increase downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6) (Fig. 5).
In another embodiment, the number of the holes (7) and the frequency of the holes (7) in the horizontal rows both increase downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6). In this embodiment, the holes (7) have the same cross section (Fig. 7).
In another embodiment, the detergent drawer (1) comprises an attachment means (8) which is adapted to detachably attach the barrier (6) into the chamber (3) (Fig. 2).
In another embodiment, the attachment means (8) comprises: two alignment pins (8a) which are formed onto the opposing sides of the barrier (6); and two alignment channels (8b) which are formed into the opposing side walls of the chamber (3) and extend downwards (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the attachment means (8) comprises two retaining claws (8c) which are formed onto the opposing sides of the barrier (6), wherein the retaining claws (8c) are adapted to snap-in under the walls of the alignment channels (8b) respectively (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the detergent drawer (1) comprises a receptacle (9) for stowing away the barrier (6) in the detergent drawer (1) (Fig. 2).
In another embodiment, the receptacle (9) is formed into the side walls between the adjacent chambers (3) of the detergent drawer (1). In this embodiment, the receptacle extends vertically downwards and can be seen from the above first when the detergent drawer (1) has been pulled out (Fig. 2).
In another embodiment, a grip (10) is formed onto the barrier (6) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the barrier (6) and the grip (10) are produced as a single piece (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).
In another embodiment, the detergent drawer (1) further comprises an overflow opening (11) which is formed into the barrier (6) and adapted to allow the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to flow over the barrier (6) (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the detergent drawer (1) comprises one or more signs (12) ) which are formed onto the front side of the barrier (6) and which respectively instruct the user to use detergent in liquid form and indicate one or more fill levels (Fig. 5).
In the subsequent description the operation of the detergent drawer (1) will be briefly explained by way of example and with reference to the drawings.
When the water is filled into the chamber (3), the relatively dense liquid detergent remains below the water and also starts to mix up with the water (Fig. 7). The seeping of the dense liquid detergent through the barrier (6) at the lower region of the chamber (3) is relatively accelerated whereas the seeping of the water through the barrier (6) at the upper region of the chamber (3) is relatively suppressed since the liquid passage area (A) of the barrier (6) increases downwards at least in the lower region thereof (Fig. 5 to Fig.8). Thereby, the water is forced to mix up with the liquid detergent instead of overflowing into the tub (not shown), and thus the formation of the foam is reduced and the intake of the liquid detergent into the tub is increased (Fig. 7).
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user is enabled to selectively use powder detergent or liquid detergent when replenishing the laundry washing-drying machine (2). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the barrier (6) without the siphon is comparatively less expensive than the auxiliary siphon device known in the art. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the barrier (6) without the siphon occupies comparatively less space than the auxiliary siphon device known in the art. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the special arrangement of the holes (7) in the barrier (6) improves the flow of the mixture of water and liquid detergent towards the outlet (5), and thus expedites the discharge thereof into the tub of the laundry washing-drying machine (2). Thereby, the washing performance can be improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the special arrangement of the holes (7) in the barrier (6) suppresses the formation of foam. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

A detergent drawer (1) for use in a laundry washing-drying machine (2), the detergent drawer (1) comprising at least one chamber (3) for selectively receiving powder detergent or liquid detergent, an inlet (4) for receiving water into the chamber (3); and an outlet (5) for discharging the mixture of water and powder/liquid detergent out of the chamber (3), characterized in that a barrier (6) is adapted to selectively unblock or block the flow path between the inlet (4) and the outlet (5) so as to dam up the liquid detergent up to a predetermined level and a plurality of holes (7) which are each formed into the barrier (6) and adapted to allow the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to seep through the barrier (6), wherein the positions and the shapes of the plurality of holes (7) are arranged such that the corresponding liquid passage area (A) increases downwards at least in the lower region of the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of holes (7) are arranged into a vertical array of horizontal rows.
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that one or more horizontal rows at the beginning of the vertical has only one hole (7).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the number of the holes (7) in the horizontal rows increases downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the cross section of the holes (7) in the horizontal rows increases downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the interspacing between the holes (7) in the horizontal rows decreases downwards along the vertical array at least in said lower region of the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an attachment means (8) for detachably attaching the barrier (6) into the chamber (3).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a receptacle (9) for stowing away the barrier (6) in the detergent drawer (1).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the receptacle (9) is formed into the side walls between the adjacent chambers (3) of the detergent drawer (1).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a grip (10) which is formed onto the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the barrier (6) and the grip (10) are produced as a single piece.
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an overflow opening (11) which is formed into the barrier (6) and adapted to allow the dammed up mixture of water and liquid detergent to flow over the barrier (6).
The detergent drawer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more signs (12) which are formed onto the front side of the barrier (6) and which respectively instruct the user to use detergent in liquid form and indicate one or more fill levels.
A laundry washing-drying machine (2), characterized in that the detergent drawer (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.