US20140165662A1

US20140165662A1 - Supplies dispensing system for washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20140165662A1
Application number: US14/105,315
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruno T. Ramasco; Sergio Ricardo Jager; Guilherme Henrique Manzi
Original assignee: Whirlpool SA
Current assignee: Whirlpool SA
Priority date: 2012-12-14
Filing date: 2013-12-13
Publication date: 2014-06-19
Also published as: BR102012031969A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing supply dispensing system for washing machine that, even in a vertical axis washing machine devoid of water storage tank, provides means of dispensing said washing supplies without them coming into direct contact with the wash load. Therefore, it is disclosed a washing supply dispensing system that, comprising at least one storage container of supplies (2) and at least one supply flowing means (3), stands up by the fact that said supply flowing means (3) comprises at least one fluid communication means between said storage container of supplies (2) and at least one connection component (4) cooperating with the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine and, in particular, for vertical axis washing machines, where it is necessary to avoid the contact between said washing supplies and the wash load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As commonly known by a person skilled in the art, conventional embodiments of vertical axis washing machines (or “top load” washing machines) are integrated by a water storage tank (fixed), and a washing basket (movable), the latter being disposed within the former. Conventionally, it is also defined a fluid communication means between said water storage tank and said washing basket.
These conventional embodiments of vertical axis washing machines are also integrated by dispensing supplies washing systems, which aim to release washing chemicals (soap, bleach, fabric softener, among others) in the washing space. Normally, the release of washing supplies is automatically performed and in accordance with pre-programmed washing cycles.
In general, known supplies dispensing systems are fundamentally integrated by storage containers of concentrated supplies and by supply flowing means (previously concentrated or diluted).
Once these supplies comprise washing chemicals of all kinds, functions and product concentrations, it is common knowledge that the exposure of these products to certain types of fabrics tends to promote degeneration of said fabrics.
In this sense, it is common that the current supplies dispensing means of currently existing supplies dispensing systems are deliberately directed to regions free of wash loads, aiming to prevent them from being degenerated by one or other more aggressive washing supplies (as is the case of the high concentration soap).
Therefore, it is conventional that said supply flowing means to be directed to regions defined between the wall of the water storage tank and the wall of the washing basket (where the wash loads are arranged). As the water storage tank has fluid communication with the washing basket, the washing supplies directed between these two bodies tend to flow into the interior of said washing basket which occurs without direct contact with the wash loads, thus preventing degeneration thereof.
However, it is also known by a person skilled in the art, that the existence of the water storage tank tends to consume (and waste) about 40% more water compared to the amount of water really necessary to wash the load (volume of the washing tank). Consequently, it is known by a person skilled in the art that these embodiments of washing machines tend to be replaced by washing machines free of water storage tanks.
Therefore, it appears that the current supplies dispensing systems provided with a supplies disposing means directed to the regions defined between the wall of the water storage tank and the wall of the washing basket are not perfectly applicable to embodiments of washing machines devoid of water storage tanks, after all, in these new embodiments there is no kind of fluid communication space or chamber with the washing basket.
Then one can say that the current state of the art does not cover dispensing systems supplies provided with a means of disposing of materials that, when applied to washing machines free of water storage tanks, are able to prevent tissue degeneration of wash loads.
The present Invention patent arises based on this context.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine provided with supply flowing means not directed to the wash load.
In particular, it is an objective of this invention that said washing supplies dispensing system is applicable in vertical axis washing machines devoid of water storage tank.
More particularly, it is also one of the objectives of this invention that said washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine contains supplies flowing media directed to the bottom of the washing basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

All the aforementioned objectives are fully achieved through the washing supplies dispensing system for the washing machine disclosed herein.
According to this invention, said washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine comprises at least one storage container of supplies and at least one supply flowing means, wherein said supply flowing means comprises at least a fluid communication means between said storage container of supplies and at least one connection component cooperating with the bottom portion of the washing basket.
In general, said supply flowing means may comprise a flexible pipe or rigid pipe. Anyway, said pipe is disposed on outside of the washing basket and it may be disposed on inside or outside of the water storage tank, if present.
In accordance with this invention, the connection component may comprise a chamber connected to the central opening disposed at the bottom portion of the washing basket, connected to the central opening disposed at the bottom portion of the washing basket.
Preferably, said storage container of supplies is disposed above the washing basket and can comprise a drawer-type container.
Optionally, said washing machine may also further comprise a water storage tank, and, in this case, the supply flowing means comprises a pipe disposed between the water storage tank and the washing basket, or a pipe disposed at outside of the water storage tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail based on the figures listed below, including:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of this invention, and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an optional embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the concepts and objectives of this invention, it is disclosed a novel washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine.
The fundamental idea disclosed herein relates to the preparation of a supply flowing means between a storage container of supplies and the bottom of the washing basket of the washing machine.
In this sense, it is worth noting that said washing machine L refers to a substantially conventional vertical axis washing machine.
Therefore, the washing machine L (also known by those skilled in the art skilled as “top load” washing machine) is mainly composed of at least one functional assembly and at least one washing supplies dispensing system.
In general, the functional assembly is related to the components that promote real washing loads of the wash loads (clothing articles and other textile articles) and is integrated by a washing basket 1, by an electric motor MT. Also noteworthy is that the washing basket 1 has at least one agitator disposed at its inside AG.
It is clear that vertical axis washing machines are still integrated by a plurality of functional components (suspension mechanisms, damping systems, among others), which are known to those skilled skill in the art and not relevant to this invention.
Also in general, the washing supplies dispensing system is essentially formed by a storage container of supplies 2 and a supply flowing means 3. Furthermore, and as known by a person skilled in the art, said washing supplies dispensing system is also connected to a water source, usually disposed off the washing machine L.
As previously mentioned, it is the main objective of this invention that the supplies of the storage container of supplies 2 are dispensed into the washing basket 1 without any contact of these with the eventual wash loads (not shown).
For this purpose, it is disclosed a washing supplies dispensing system whose supply flowing means 3 is able to connect the storage container of supplies 2 directly to the bottom of the washing basket 1 of the washing machine L, and more particularly, to a point of the hydraulic connection 11 defined on the bottom portion of the washing basket of the washing machine 1 L.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate possible embodiments of the concept proposed above.
In FIG. 1, the storage container of supplies 2 (disposed above the washing basket 1) is fluidly connected to the bottom portion of the washing basket 1 through a connection component 4, which comprises a channel fixedly connected to the bottom of the washing basket 1 and having a fluid connection therewith through a central opening normally present.
In FIG. 2, the storage container of supplies 2 (disposed above the washing basket 1) is fluidly connected to the bottom portion of the washing basket 1 through a connection component 4, which comprises a channel fixedly connected to the water storage tank 5 in fluid connection with said washing basket 1 through a central opening normally present.
The use of hydraulic pumps associated with the supply flowing means 3 is optional in any of the embodiments described above, however, it is noteworthy that the washing supplies contained in the storage container of supplies 2 tend to flow into the washing basket 1 by gravity and siphon effect.
The use of flow valves associated with the supply flowing means 3 or the storage container of supplies 2 is also optional and depends on the type of storage container of supplies 2 to be used. Preferably, said storage container of supplies 2 may include a drawer-type container, a pressurized-type container or jet-type container.
It is also noteworthy that, regardless of the embodiment of washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine, the fixing of the supply flowing means 3 to the storage container of supplies 2 and the connection component 4 is performed through known manners, such as for example, quick couplings, clamps, glues, among others.
Finally, it is worth noting that, although only preferential embodiments of this invention have been illustrated, the scope thereof covers other possible variations, which are solely limited by the content of the claims, including the possible equivalents means therein.

Claims

1. Washing supplies dispensing system for washing machine, comprising at least one storage container of supplies (2) and at least one supply flowing means (3), CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said supply flowing means (3) comprises at least one fluid communication means between said storage container of supplies (2) and at least one connection component (4) cooperating with the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

2. System according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supplies flowing means (3) comprises at least one pipe.

3. System according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supplies flowing means (3) comprises a flexible pipe.

4. System according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supplies flowing means (3) comprises a rigid pipe.

5. System according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supplies flowing means (3) comprises a pipe arranged outside the washing basket (1).

6. System according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said connection component (4) comprises a chamber connected to the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

7. System according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said connection component (4) comprises a chamber connected to the central opening disposed at the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

8. System according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said connection component (4) comprises a flowing channel connected to the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

9. System according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said connection component (4) comprises a flowing channel connected to the central opening disposed at the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

10. System according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said storage container of supplies (2) is arranged above the washing basket (1).

11. System according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the storage container of supplies (2) comprises a drawer-type container.

12. System according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said washing machine further comprises a water storage tank (5).

13. System according to claim 12, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supplies flowing means (3) comprises a pipe disposed between the water storage tank (5) and the washing basket (1).

14. System according to claim 12, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the supply flowing means (3) comprises a pipe disposed on the outside of the water storage tank (5).