WO2010029061A1

WO2010029061A1 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2010029061A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/061603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Durmaz; Ayca Hande Ergiturk; Sena Ozperk
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2008-09-09
Filing date: 2009-09-08
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: TR201102177T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, at least one baffle (3, 103) disposed on the inner periphery of the drum (2) and an apparatus (4) wherein items to be washed are emplaced for preventing their deformation.

Description

A WASHER/DRYER

[0001] The present invention relates to a washer/dryer comprising an apparatus wherein items to be washed with different features can be emplaced.

[0002] In washer/dryers, the items washed exhibit diversity and besides the laundry, plush toys, slippers or shoes can also be washed. However, these items having different features are generally deformed during washing. Nowadays, various washing programs are developed in order to prevent this type of unwanted deformations. In these programs that generally take a shorter period of time, the drum rotates slower and does not make a full revolution. However, this type or similar programs still do not yield the desired result. The other embodiments known in the state of the art are minimizing the impact of various washed items on the drum and using apparatus such as partitions, washing receptacles etc. in order to separate these items from each other.

[0003] In the state of the art Swiss and Great Britain patent documents numbered CH374049 and GB576979 respectively, in the washing machines having horizontal axis drums, a separator that divides the drum interior into compartments is described. The partition is formed of plates dividing the drum interior into compartments, having perforations thereon for passage of water and connected to the drum by resilient connectors.

[0004] In another state of the art embodiment, in the Japanese Patent Application No JP2004097317 and Canadian Patent No CA2568876, horizontal axis washing machines are described, comprising separators mounted on the baffles inside the drum for dividing the drum into more than one partition.

[0005] In another state of the art embodiment, the dryer explained in the United States of America Patent No US4109397, comprises a washing basket having a rack removably mounted on the drum walls such that it stays almost above a diameter line of the drum.

[0006] Another state of the art embodiment is explained in the International

Patent Application No WO2008017560. In this embodiment, the washer comprises a net bag to be used for drying delicate textiles, which is fastened to the baffles in the drum by means of wires having hooks at its ends.

[0007] Another embodiment known in the technique is the telescopic apparatus explained in the Great Britain Patent No GB2427620, including an elongate portion which spans the internal diameter of a drum. At one end of the apparatus is an end portion, which is seated on the lifter and on the other end a portion for receiving the items to be washed.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer that comprises an apparatus for washing the items having different characteristics in the best possible manner and with the least amount of deformation.

[0009] The washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.

[0010] The washer/dryer comprises an apparatus disposed inside the drum, secured on the baffles, kept eccentrically with respect to the center of the drum, without contacting with the inner periphery of the drum, having a receptacle wherein the items to be washed are emplaced in order to prevent deformation. The receptacle is of a perforated structure and consequently the items therein can contact with water.

[0011] The apparatus comprises at least one rest for seating thereof on a baffle. Consequently, the apparatus is seated on one of the baffles and the receptacle can be positioned to be eccentric with respect to the center of the drum. The rest is shaped like a U that surrounds the baffle from the sides. The rest comprises at least one protrusion that is seated in the perforations present on the baffle thereby securing thereof on the baffle.

[0012] The apparatus furthermore comprises coupling means for securing thereof, besides the baffle whereon it is seated and fastened by means of the rest. Each of the coupling means extends from the receptacle towards one free baffle so that the apparatus can be affixed on that baffle. Thus, the apparatus is supported in a balanced manner and eccentrically with respect to the drum center.

[0013] The coupling means comprise a U shaped grip on their ends mounted to the baffle that surrounds the baffle, and an arm disposed between the grip and the receptacle, enabling the grip to extend to the baffle. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grip comprises at least one latch on its surface mounted on the baffle, which is seated into the perforation situated on the baffle. [0014] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling means furthermore comprises a joint that allows the arm to be folded over the receptacle from the point whereto the arm is fastened to the receptacle.

Consequently, when the apparatus is not used, the arm can be folded and stored such that the least amount of space is occupied. [0015] The arm comprises a pin and the joint comprises two housings, wherein the pin is seated in one of them in the open position, and in the other in the closed position. Thus, the arm can be secured in the open and closed positions. [0016] The model embodiments relating to a washer/dryer designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0017] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a washer/dryer. [0018] Figure 2 - is the front schematic view of a washer/dryer drum wherein an apparatus is disposed therein.

[0019] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the apparatus and the baffles. [0020] Figure 4 - is the detailed view of the coupling means. [0021] Figure 5 - is the front view of the receptacle and the rest. [0022] Figure 6 - is the sideways view of the receptacle and the rest. [0023] Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the receptacle and the rest. [0024] Figure 8 - is the perspective view of the joint. [0025] Figure 9 - is the sideways view of the joint. [0026] Figure 10 - is the detailed view of the rest. [0027] Figure 11 - is the front schematic view of a washer/dryer when the apparatus coupling means emplaced in the drum are closed in an embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Figure 12 - is the front schematic view of a washer/dryer when the apparatus coupling means emplaced in the drum are open in an embodiment of the present invention. [0029] Figure 13 - is the front schematic view of a washer/dryer when the apparatus coupling means emplaced in the drum are mounted to the baffles in an embodiment of the present invention. [0030] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer/dryer

2. Drum

3. 103. Baffle

4. Apparatus

5. Receptacle

6. Rest

7. Coupling means

8. Grip

9. Arm

10. Joint

11. Housing

12. Pin

13. Latch

14. Protrusion

[0031] The washer/dryer (1) comprises:

- a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, and

- at least one baffle (3, 103) disposed on the inner wall of the drum (2) which does not move with respect to the drum (2) (Figure 1 and Figure

2).

[0032] The apparatus (4) comprises a receptacle (5) wherein the items to be washed are emplaced, which is kept eccentrically with respect to the center of the drum (2), without being in contact with the inner wall of the drum (2) and secured on a baffle (3) such that it will keep its eccentric position during the rotation of the drum (2) and thus gets in and out of the water inside the drum (2) while the drum (2) rotates and will (Figure 2). The receptacle (5) is of a perforated configuration so that the items therein are allowed to contact with the water.

[0033] By keeping the receptacle (5) eccentric with respect to the drum (2) center, the items to be washed emplaced in the receptacle (5) can be immersed into the wash water while the drum (2) rotates during the washing and thus can be cleaned more effectively. On the other hand, the effect of the unbalanced load as a result of swelling of the items emplaced in the receptacle (5) by absorbing water is reduced since the receptacle (5) is secured on the baffle (3) but not directly on the surface of the drum (2).

[0034] The apparatus (4) comprises at least one rest (6) so that it can be seated on a baffle (3) (Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7). Consequently, the apparatus (4) is positioned in the proximity of one of the baffles (3). The rest (6) is preferably configured to partially clasp the baffle (3) and comprises at least one protrusion (14) which is seated in the perforations on the baffle (3) (Figure 10).

[0035] The apparatus (4) furthermore comprises coupling means (7) that extend from the receptacle (5) to the other baffles (103) for also securing the apparatus (4) on these baffles (3), when disposed on a baffle (3) by means of the rest (6) (Figure 3). Accordingly, the apparatus (2) can be kept in a balanced manner inside the drum (2) and in a position eccentric with respect to the drum (2) center.

[0036] The coupling means (7) comprises a grip (8) on its ends mounted to the baffle (103) for partially clasping the baffle (103) and strengthening securing and an arm (9) that extends between the receptacle (5) and the grip (8) (Figure 3).

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling means (7) comprises at least one latch (13) on its ends mounted to the baffle (103), seated in the perforations on the baffle (103) whereon it is mounted (Figure 4). The latch (13) is seated on the perforation preferably by partially stretching. Thus, a more effective fastening is maintained.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling means (7) furthermore comprises a joint (10) that forms an articulation at the point the arm (9) is mounted to the receptacle (5) (Figure 3). When the apparatus (4) is not used, the arm (9) can be folded over the receptacle (5) by means of the joint (10) and thus the apparatus (4) can be stored outside the washer/dryer (1) without occupying too much space.

[0039] The arm (9) comprises a pin (12) for locking the arm (9) in the open and closed positions and the joint (10) comprises two housings (11) wherein the pin (12) is seated in one of them in the open position, and in the other, in the closed position (Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (5) is configured as a cylinder, with the front and rear faces open, disposed inside the drum (2) such that the central axis thereof is parallel to the drum (2) axis. In this embodiment, the drum (2) comprises three baffles (3, 103) disposed inside spaced with 120° therebetween. The apparatus (4) is seated on a baffle (3) by means of the rest (6). Two coupling means (7) are positioned on the receptacle (5) with approximately 130° spacing therebetween for reaching the other baffles (103).

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the arm (9) is of a length accommodating with the distance between the receptacle (5) and the baffle (103) whereto the grip (8) will be mounted (Figure 3). Consequently, the receptacle (5) is supported effectively and rigidly by the coupling means (7).

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the arm (9) is configured telescopically. In this embodiment, the arm (9) is opened to change to the long position so that the grip (8) can reach the baffle (103) (Figure 13). When the apparatus (4) is not in use, the arm (9) is changed to the closed position by means of its telescopic structure, folded over the receptacle (5) by the joint (10) and thus the apparatus (4) can be stored without occupying too much space (Figure 11 and Figure 12).

[0043] In the washer/dryer (1) of the present invention, by using the apparatus (4), while the possible deformation of the items such as shoes, delicate laundry etc. during normal washing is prevented and also an effective cleaning is maintained.

[0044] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and an expert in the technique can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washer/dryer (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced and at least one baffle (3, 103), disposed on the inner wall of the drum (2) which does not move with respect to the drum (2) and characterized by an apparatus (4) having a receptacle (5), wherein items to be washed are emplaced, being secured on a baffle (3,103) such that the receptacle (5) is not in contact with the inner wall of the drum (2), the receptacle (5) is kept eccentrically with respect to the center of the drum (2), and the receptacle (5) keeps its eccentric position during the rotation of the drum (2) and thus gets in and out of the water inside the drum (2) while the drum (2) rotates.

2. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized in that the receptacle (5) is of a perforated configuration so that the items therein are allowed to contact with the water.

3. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the apparatus (4) comprising at least one rest (6) for seating thereof on a baffle (3).

4. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that the rest (6) is configured to partially clasp the baffle (3).

5. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rest (6) comprises at least one protrusion (14) which is seated in the perforations on the baffle (3).

6. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the apparatus (4) comprising coupling means (7) that extend from the receptacle (5) to the other baffles (103) for also securing the apparatus (4) on these baffles (103) when disposed on a baffle (3) by means of the rest (6).

7. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by coupling means (7) comprising a grip (8) on its ends mounted to the baffle (103) for strengthening securing by partially clasping the baffle (103) and an arm (9) that extends between the receptacle (5) and the grip (8).

8. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by coupling means (7) comprising at least one latch (13) on its ends mounted to the baffle (103), seated in the perforations on the baffle (103) whereon it is mounted.

9. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 6 to 8, characterized by coupling means (7) comprising a joint (10) that forms an articulation at the point the arm (9) is mounted to the receptacle (5) and enables the arm (9) to be folded over the receptacle (5) when the apparatus (4) is not in use.

10. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the arm (9) comprising a pin (12) for locking the arm (9) in the open and closed positions and a joint (10) comprising two housings (11) wherein the pin (12) is seated in one of them in the open position, and in the other, in the closed position.

11. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the drum (2) comprising three baffles (3, 103), disposed therein, spaced with approximately 120° therebetween, positioned such that one is at the base, and the others are at the upper sides and an apparatus (4) seated on the baffle (3) at the base by means of the rest (6), having a receptacle (5) configured as a cylinder, with the front and rear faces open, disposed inside the drum (2) such that the central axis thereof is parallel to the drum (2) axis, two coupling means (7) positioned on the receptacle (5) with approximately 130° spacing therebetween for reaching the other baffles (103).

12. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the arm (9) is structured telescopically.