ES2327669T3 - APPLIANCES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Household appliance comprising an outdoor furniture (2) provided with a worktop (3) and, at least, a drying surface (8) having a plurality of openings (7) connected, in relation to fluid circulation, with means of transport intended to deliver an air flow through said openings (7) for drying clothes lying on said drying surface (8), characterized in that said countertop (3) comprises an extensible / folding structure (15) intended to define a booth drying to accommodate the clothes to be dried, said structure (15) comprising extendable / folding a panel (16) forming the roof, that is, the upper wall of the drying cabin, and deformable lateral members (17) constituting the walls sides of the drying cabinet, said deformable lateral members (17) connecting the panel (16) with the drying surface (8), said drying surface (8) being provided integrally on the worktop (3) of the outdoor furniture (2 ) to form the lower surface of the drying cabinet in order to blow air directly to said drying cabinet.

Description

Home appliance

The present invention relates to a appliance and, in particular, to an appliance for washing and / or dry clothes.

It is well known that the garments made of delicate textile materials, such as the Cashmere, are not intended to undergo drying treatments regular in a tumble dryer, due to efforts mechanics, primarily in the form of impacts, which are seen submitted the textile fibers during them.

Therefore, to properly care for these delicate textiles, they must be dried by subjecting them to more treatments soft, such as laying them on ropes or letting them dry flat layouts, these procedures that, otherwise, carry a lot of time.

The description of the patent application European EP 112 671.0 on behalf of the same applicant, is effective at when eliminating the aforementioned problems in relationship with the prior art by providing a appliance comprising an outdoor furniture with a countertop which incorporates a plurality of openings, each of which is connected in relation to fluid circulation with means of transport intended to deliver an air flow to said openings and through them, with the purpose of drying clothes  lying on the same countertop.

However, the solution described and described in the aforementioned document has, however, a drawback for since, to guarantee a fast and effective drying action, it is necessary to lay a single garment on the surface of The countertop In addition, in case the garment is very large or occupies a great extension, it may happen, very well, that some parts of it must be folded so that they are on others. The consequence of this is that the user will be forced to intervene to repeatedly redispose the garment on the countertop surface in order to finally ensure that the entire garment is exposed equally to the flow of drying air and Dry completely and evenly. As you can appreciate easily, this has the effect of making the drying process late, really, a long time to complete.

It may also be possible for the user to you encounter difficulties when trying to directly access the top of the countertop due to obstacles that possibly can be found immediately above the countertop itself. In In any case, the solution proposed in document EP 06 112 671.0 no It is, at all, feasible.

EP 1 146 161 describes a dryer of dump clothing comprising a cabin connected to a air exhaust opening of the dryer, so that the garments contained in the cabin can be dried by said air. He closet includes several drawers that have a defined structure which supports the garment to dry, allowing at the same time the air circulation

EP 1 431 442 teaches the use of a air flow through the drum or condenser and which has to Discharge out of the drying machine as a drying air for dry clothes lying on a drying surface with openings and provided on the counter of a dryer.

US 3,905,125 describes a dryer of foldable clothes comprising a flexible dryer bag that confine the space used to dry hung clothes loose. It closes in the side by means of a zip closure and Its bottom is equipped with several air exhaust openings.

Document DE 103 18 486 describes a clothesline folding comprising one or more fans to produce a air flow to accelerate the drying process.

The object of the present invention is therefore provide an appliance capable of drying clothes smooth, while eliminating the aforementioned inconveniences.

Within this general object, a purpose main of the present invention is to provide a new concept and a new drying solution for home appliances, construction relatively simple, with trouble-free operation, Reliable, flexible and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, make function, attend and maintain.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects are obtained in an appliance that incorporates characteristics cited and defined in the claims attached.

The characteristics and advantages of this will be understood, however, more easily from the description given in the following by way of example no limiting with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which shows the structure in its position folded

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which shows the structure panel during a phase of lifting;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which shows the structure in its extended position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the appliance according to a first embodiment of the present  invention, which shows the drying cabin in operation;

Figure 5 is a sectional side view cross section of the appliance shown in figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which shows the clothesline arms in its first convergent position;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the clothesline arms in rotation;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which shows the clothesline arms in its second divergent position;

Figure 9 is a sectional side view cross section of the appliance shown in figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional side view cross section of an appliance according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which shows the structure by way of drawer in the inserted position;

Figure 11 is a sectional side view cross section of the appliance according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which shows the structure by way of drawer during an extraction phase;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the appliance shown in figure 13 with the structure of drawer removed;

Figure 13 is a sectional side view cross section of the appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention, which shows the drawer-like structure during an extraction phase;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the appliance shown in figure 13 with the structure a drawer mode removed.

The appliance, in particular for washing and / or drying clothes, according to the present invention, comprises a outdoor furniture 2 with a countertop 3 and a front panel 4 that carries 5 functional input and adjustment controls, a supported drum to rotation inside the external furniture 2 and destined to be loaded with items to be washed and / or dried, an opening for loading and download the items in and from the drum, and a door 6 for close said opening.

The appliance comprises a surface of drying 8 having a plurality of openings 7, each of the which is connected in relation to fluid circulation with means of transport intended to direct an air flow through of said openings 7 for drying garments that are placed on The drying surface 8.

In particular, the countertop 3 comprises the drying surface 8 on which the clothes to be dried are placed and through the openings or perforations 7 of which it is made circulate air so that it affects the arranged garments on her, drying them like that.

These means of transport comprise at least an air passage 9 intended to transport the air to the countertop 3 located under the drying surface 8, so that the air can then circulate through the openings 7 from the bottom towards above, as well as circulation means 10 intended to force a air flow to the air passage 9 and through it.

In an advantageous manner, the means of heating 11 are provided to heat the circulating air to the passage of air 9 so that the air is properly heated which, eventually, affects the clothes to dry.

The air passage 9 extends horizontally to along the drying surface 8 in order to be able to supply air to each unique opening 7 at the same time. A part end 12 of air passage 9 is blind, that is, closed, while its other extreme part 13 is open and communicates in fluid circulation ratio with the circulation means 10 of air to receive in them the flow of drying air.

Advantageously, the drying surface 8 and the air passage 9 may be integrally formed in the countertop 3.

The air circulation means 10 can be composed, for example, of at least one blower arranged inside the outdoor furniture 2 of the machine and intended to take air from inside or outside the appliance to transport it to step 9 of air.

In particular, the blowers are housed in a appropriate place for this purpose, inside the accommodation outside of the device

The means of transport further comprise a communication conduit 14 provided on the countertop and / or the outer housing for connecting the circulation means 10 of air with the passage of air 9.

The heating means 11 may be consisting, for example, of one or more electrical elements of heating arranged downstream of the circulation means 10 of air and upstream of air passage 9. Preferably, the heating means 11 are housed in the conduit of communication 14, upstream of the open end portion 13 of the air step 9.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the worktop 3 comprises an extendable / folding structure 15, intended to define a drying cabin to accommodate garments to drying on said drying surface 8, said surface forming of drying 8 the bottom of said drying cabinet, in order to blow air directly into the drying cabin proper.

The extensible / foldable structure 15 is constituted by a panel 16, which forms the ceiling, that is, the wall top of the drying cabinet, and deformable side members 17 that form the side walls of the drying cabin. The deformable side members 17 connect panel 16 with the drying surface 8 in order to create the cavity or interior compartment delimited from the drying cabin. As already indicated above, the drying surface 8, provided entirely on the worktop 3 of the outdoor unit 2 of the appliance, forms the bottom surface or floor of the drying cabinet

When structure 15 is not being used, panel 16 is lowered to seat cleanly near the drying surface 8 of countertop 3, while the members deformed sides 17 fold between panel 16 and the drying surface 8.

To use the drying cabinet, you can then lift the panel 16 from the drying surface 8, making  so extend the deformable lateral members 17. The panel 16 is intended to reach - at a preset height - a high limit position in which the lateral members deformable 17 of structure 15, because they are fully extended, they become rigid providing therefore a stable drying cabin.

At least one of the lateral members deformable 17 is provided in order to allow the cabin of  drying can open and close and therefore the clothes to dry can be properly arranged, for example, hung, in the inside the drying cabinet itself before closing it so that the drying process can take place in it. In particular, said deformable side member used to open / close the drying cabin, it is made of a different material in comparison with the other deformable side members, such as for example, a plain fabric.

Advantageously, appropriate hangers, with clothes to dry hanging on them, can be hooked on a plurality of receptacles provided in panel 16 to be applied with them. Alternatively, clothes to dry can be laid flat on support members as shelves or the like, provided in the drying cabin.

Advantageously, panel 16 also defines some handle means thanks to which you can get up, conveniently, panel 16.

The structure 15 is foldable, that is, the can smash by simply lowering panel 16 on the drying surface 8 so that the lateral members deformable 17 lose their rigidity and can be folded into position between panel 16 and the appliance countertop.

Starting up the means 10 to do circulating air and heating means 11, air is blown heat inside the drying cabinet extended through the openings 7 of the drying surface 8. In this way, it is counted, therefore, with the possibility of quickly and efficiently drying a plurality of garments at the same time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in figures 6 to 9, the countertop 3 comprises a type of clothesline 18 foldable so that the clothes to dry become flat on it above the drying surface 8, at a certain distance from the latter. Advantageously, such clothesline 18 is constituted by a folding structure destined to be placed flat on the drying surface 8 when the clothesline 18.

Namely, the clothesline 18 described and details by way of example for illustrative purposes, comprises a pair of arched arms 19 that are associated with countertop rotation 3, in lateral position on it, and a plurality of strings 20 that have their ends connected, that is in application, with said arms 19.

The arms 19 are intended to be made turn from a first position, where they are convergent and they find planes on the drying surface 8 together with the ropes 20, to a second position, in which they are raised from the drying surface 8 and are mutually divergent in order to stretch and tighten the ropes 20.

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In the first folded position, arms 19 and the strings 20 are completely flat on the drying surface 8, then only a few stand out millimeters of it, in order to occupy a minimum of space. In the second position, deployed, arms 19 and strings 20 they allow clothes to dry on them, a little above of the drying surface, while offering greater surface to place large garments on them.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, the surface of drying 8 can be slipped into a housing or arrangement 21 provided on the countertop 3 from a first position, in which the drying surface is contained, that is, introduced inside of the housing 21 of the countertop 3, to a second position in which the drying surface 8 is removed from the housing 21 of the countertop 3 and extends horizontally from it, to stand on it the clothes to dry.

The drying surface 8 is provided, in this case, integrally in a structure 22 as a drawer, intended to slide inside housing 21 along means of appropriate slides. Such a drawer structure 22 is hollow in order to form, in one piece, the air passage 9 for transport the drying air flow below the surface drying 8 and along it.

In its first position, structure 22 by way drawer is fully inserted in housing 21, so that is contained entirely inside the countertop, only part of the handle 23 protruding from the counter 3 provided on the front of the structure as a drawer, to allow said drawer structure 22 to be removed conveniently when you need to use it.

In its second position, structure 22 by way of drawer is extracted, that is, it is pulled from it to remove it from housing 21, so that the drying surface 8 protrudes horizontally of the countertop 3 on its front side. The garments to drying, then they tend on the drying surface 8 and, when starting the air circulation means 10 and the means heating 11 begins to circulate hot air through the openings 7 of the drying surface 8 in order to influence the clothes lying on it and dry them.

The housing 21 further defines a channel of transport of drying medium intended to connect, in relation to fluid circulation, the air passage 9 of the structure 22 by way drawer, with air circulation means 10, when the structure 22 as a drawer is removed, that is, it has been withdrawal of the housing 21, in said second position.

Countertop 3 may, in turn, comprise a plurality of openings 24 connected, in relation to circulation of fluid, with the air circulation means 10, in order to define a second drying surface 25, so that both the slippery drying surface 8 of structure 22 by way of drawer as the countertop drying surface 8, can be used to dry a plurality of garments at the same time or A single large garment. Alternatively, the countertop can be provided, however, in the form of a usual countertop, without any opening

The drying surface 8 provided in the drawer structure 22 allows garments to be dried even if the surface of the countertop 3 is not directly accessible due to obstacles present immediately above said countertop 3.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the means of transport are provided outside the piece of furniture.

In particular, for example, the means 10 of air circulation and communication conduit 14 are associated with the upper rear part of the furniture, in the vicinity and by under the countertop protruding from the furniture.

The provisions described above for drying can be provided in a washing machine, a dryer by dump or one, called, washer-punch, in the it will be easily appreciated that a perforated countertop such as the previously described, it can even be applied in machines of top load.

However, it will be readily appreciated that a drying arrangement of the class described above, can be provided in the form of an independent appliance, that is autonomous, specially designed to dry delicate garments, which design to understand, in an integrated way, a surface of perforated drying and air transport means such as described above.

The appliance comprises control means to allow the air circulation means 10 and the means heating 11 are started as required, so as to properly select the different drying modes of the machine In this regard, it should be noted that, in fact, different and different drying temperatures may be necessary drying times to treat the most appropriate various clothes to dry, depending, among other things, on the textile fibers of which each garment is made.

Such control means are arranged in the front panel 4 of the washer and / or dryer machine or in a specific console provided in the autonomous machine.

In another embodiment, the control means are integrated directly into the drying surface 8 of the machine washer and / or dryer or on the counter of the autonomous machine.

In conclusion it can be established, therefore, that with the arrangement according to the present invention, the Delicate textiles can be dried gently and effectively from the more convenient way, without implying high use of energy, thus eliminating the inconveniences cited in relation to with document EP 06 112 671.0. In this regard, it should be noted, furthermore, that the appliance according to the present invention, can be used advantageously, also, for heating and drying Quickly and effectively bath towels or bathrobes before and after of its use, respectively, as well as to dry tea towels.

Advantageously, the appliance according with the present invention it can be used to heat the enclosure in that the machine is located, in particular, for example, the room bathroom In fact, when there is no garment on the counter some, hot and dry air can be discharged into the atmosphere at through the openings 7 by means of the blower and the elements Electric heating To this end, means are provided of control to operate the circulation means 10 of air and heating means 11 according to a mode of heating projected specifically in order to heat the air from the enclosure where the machine is located.

Claims (14)

1. Household appliance comprising an outdoor furniture (2) provided with a countertop (3) and, at least, a drying surface (8) having a plurality of openings (7) connected, in relation to fluid circulation, with means of transport intended to deliver an air flow through said openings (7) to dry clothes lying on said drying surface (8), characterized in that said worktop (3) comprises an extensible / folding structure (15) intended to define a drying cabin to accommodate the clothes to be dried, said structure (15) comprising extendable / folding a panel (16) forming the roof, that is, the upper wall of the drying cabin, and deformable lateral members (17) constituting the side walls of the drying cabinet, said deformable lateral members (17) connecting the panel (16) with the drying surface (8), said drying surface (8) being provided integrally on the worktop (3) of the outdoor furniture (2) to form the bottom surface of the drying cabinet in order to blow air directly to said drying cabinet. 2. Appliance according to the claim 1, wherein said panel (16) is in a position in which it is near the drying surface (8), above it, and said deformable lateral members (17) are retracted between the panel (16) and the drying surface (8), when the Structure (15) is not being used. 3. Appliance according to the claim 1, wherein said panel (16) is capable of being carried  at an elevated position relative to the drying surface (8) in order to make the deformable lateral members (17) be extend, said panel (16) being destined to be carried up a high limit position in which, because they are fully extended, deformable lateral members (17) of  the structure (15) becomes rigid, thus forming said drying cabinet 4. Appliance according to the claim 1, wherein at least one of said members deformable sides (17) are provided so as to allow the drying cabinet is open and closed and therefore the garments to dry they are arranged inside and are removed from it. 5. Household appliance comprising an outdoor furniture (2) provided with a countertop (3) and, at least, a drying surface (8) having a plurality of openings (7) connected, in relation to fluid circulation, with means of transport intended to deliver a flow of air through said openings (7) to dry clothes lying on said drying surface (8), said drying surface (8) being provided in an integral manner in a structure (22) by way of drawer intended to be made to slide inside a housing (21) provided in said countertop (3) from a first position, in which the drying surface (8) is contained in the housing (21) of the countertop (3) , to a second position, in which the drying surface (8) is removed, that is, horizontally removed from the housing (21) of the countertop (3) to support the clothes to be dried, characterized in that said structure (22) is drawer mode is hollow in order to form, of integral mode, at least one air passage (9) intended to transport the air through the openings (7) of the drying surface (8), air circulation means (10) being provided to force an air flow through the air passage (9), said housing (21) defining a drying medium channel intended to connect, in relation to fluid circulation, the air passage (9) of the structure (22) as a drawer , with the air circulation means (10), when said drawer-like structure (22) is in said second position. 6. Appliance according to the claim 5, wherein said heating means (11) are intended to heat the air so that it becomes properly heated air that eventually hits the clothes to dry. 7. Appliance according to the claim 5, wherein said air passage (9) extends to along the drying surface (8) and defines an extreme part open (13) that communicates, in relation to fluid circulation, with the means (10) of air circulation to receive the flow of air drying in it. 8. Appliance according to the claim 6, wherein said heating means (11) are arranged downstream of the means (10) of circulation of air and upstream of the air passage (9). 9. Appliance according to a any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein said countertop (3) comprises a plurality of openings (24) that communicate, in fluid circulation ratio, with the means (10) of air circulation, to define a second drying surface (25). 10. Appliance according to a any of the preceding claims, comprising a drum supported to rotation inside the outdoor furniture (2) and intended to be loaded with items to be washed and / or dried. 11. Household appliance comprising an exterior furniture (2) provided with a countertop (3), a drum supported on rotation within the external furniture (2) and intended to be loaded with items to be washed, characterized in that said countertop (3) comprises a plurality of openings (7), each of which is connected, in relation to fluid circulation, with means of transport intended to deliver an air flow through said openings (7) to dry the clothes lying on the same countertop (3), and a clothesline (18) for laying clothes above the countertop (3), at a certain distance from it. 12. Appliance according to the claim 11, wherein said clothesline (18) is constituted by a folding structure designed to be flat on said countertop (3) when the clothesline is not in use. 13. Appliance according to the claim 12, wherein said clothesline (18) comprises a pair of arched arms (19) associated with rotation with the countertop (3) and a plurality of strings (20) having their ends in application with said arms (19). 14. Appliance according to the claim 12, wherein said arms (19) are intended for be rotated from a first position, in which they are mutually convergent and planes are arranged on the countertop (3) together with the ropes (20), until a second position in which they are lifted from the countertop (3) and are mutually divergent, in order to stretch and tighten the ropes (20) and allow the clothes to dry remain supported on them.