WO2012084479A2

WO2012084479A2 - A washing machine comprising a washing chemical dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2012084479A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/071849
Authority: WO
Inventors: Celal Vatansever; Canyigit Atay; Abdullah TORUN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2010-12-24
Filing date: 2011-12-06
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: WO2012084479A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) which comprises a body (2), a housing (3) situated on the body (2) and a dispenser (5) placed into the housing (3), wherein washing chemicals such as detergent, softener etc. are placed, having one or more than one compartment (4) wherein the washing chemicals are mixed with water and one or more than one wall that confines the compartments (4).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A WASHING CHEMICAL DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a dispenser wherein washing chemicals such as detergent, softener etc. are loaded.

Washing machines comprise a dispenser into which the washing chemicals are loaded and a housing wherein the dispenser is placed. The dispenser comprises compartments that provide the washing chemicals used in different steps of the washing, such as prewash, main wash, rinsing, to be loaded separately from each other. For example, the detergents used in the prewash and main wash steps are loaded into separate compartments and the softener used in the rinsing step is loaded into a different compartment. After being mixed with the wash water to attain a certain liquid level in the compartment, the liquid washing chemical placed in the dispenser is delivered into the washing tube by means of the transmitter-lid mechanism that functions with the siphon effect.

Before washing, the dispenser is pulled out of the housing for loading the washing chemicals therein and afterwards the dispenser is seated into the housing by being pushed into the housing. While the dispenser is being seated into the housing, especially the softener, which is liquid, is agitated by the pushing force applied by the user on the dispenser and as a result of the agitation, the softener reaches the level at which the siphon effect occurs. By the siphon effect occurring in this situation, some of the softener spills into the housing by being received into the transmitter. Delivery of the softener spilled into the housing and the detergent to be used in washing together with the water taken from the mains in the main washing or prewash step into the tub causes stains on the laundry.

Similarly, in case that the user loads more washing chemical into the compartment than the amount of the liquid washing chemical recommended by the producer, the liquid level at which the siphon effect occurs is reached and the washing chemical is received into the housing prematurely.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1607510, a washing machine is described, comprising a restrictive element placed in the dispenser in order to prevent the liquid detergent from being agitated.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine comprising a dispenser wherein the liquid washing chemical loaded therein is prevented from spilling into the housing.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a transmitter tube and a lid placed on the transmitter which form a siphon mechanism that provides the liquid washing chemical to be delivered into the drum by being sucked in the detergent dispenser. An opening is disposed on the lid. When the dispenser is pulled out of the housing for loading washing chemicals, air passage through the opening becomes possible and even though the washing chemical reaches the level at which the siphon effect occurs, no siphon effect occurs. Thus, the siphon effect is prevented from occurring as a result of the agitation that occurs in the liquid washing chemical in the case the dispenser is pushed fast while being closed.

The washing machine furthermore comprises a closing means which closes the opening when the dispenser is placed into the housing after loading washing chemical thereinto. Thus, the washing chemical is provided to be taken into the transmitter together with the water with the siphon effect occurring when the liquid level in the dispenser reaches the appropriate level by taking water into the dispenser for delivering the washing chemical into the drum. Thus, the washing chemical is provided to be delivered into the drum at the right time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the closing means comprises an extension disposed on the inner surface of the housing and a plug on the lid. The plug aligns with the extension when the dispenser is placed into the housing and the plug covers the opening as the extension pushes the plug. Consequently, the siphon effect is provided to occur by closing the opening when the dispenser is placed into the housing.

The plug is connected to the lid and comprises a type of hinge formed by itself after folding a flexible plastic and an arm extending towards the opening. At the end of the arm, a protrusion aligning with the opening is disposed. When the dispenser is seated into its place and the extension presses on the plug, the arm gets closer to the lid and the protrusion is seated into the opening.

In a variation of this embodiment, the plug comprises a stopper that limits the movement of the arm in the direction of opening of the hinge for keeping the arm in the ajar position on the lid.

In a variation of this embodiment, the plug comprises a rib below the arm, which forces the arm to move in the direction of opening when the pressure on the arm is removed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a meeting surface in backwardly angled form is disposed on the lid. The opening is situated on the meeting surface. In this embodiment, the closing means comprises a bearing surface which is inclined so as to be compatible with the bearing surface on the inner surface of the housing. The bearing surface bears on the meeting surface when the dispenser is seated into the housing. Thus, when the dispenser is closed, the opening is also provided to be closed.

In different embodiments of the present invention, the extension is disposed on the inner surface of the housing, on the top or rear wall of the housing. In these embodiments, the opening is situated on the top or rear surface of the lid so as to be opposite the extension on the lid.

In an embodiment of the present invention, by means of a gasket mounted onto the extension, the extension is provided to close the opening in a leak-proof manner.

By means of the present invention, a washing machine wherein the softener is prevented from being delivered into the tub by getting mixed with the detergent used in the prewash and main wash steps of the washing process is realized. Thus, stains that would occur on the laundry due to the detergent-softener interaction are prevented.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a washing machine.

Figure 2 – is the top view of the dispenser and the housing in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the cross-sectional view of the housing and the dispenser when the dispenser is in the open position in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the cross-sectional view of the housing and the dispenser when the dispenser is in the closed position in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the perspective view of the lid in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the top view of the lid in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 – is the cross-sectional view of the housing and the dispenser when the dispenser is in the open position in another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 – is the perspective view of the housing and the dispenser when the dispenser is in the open position in another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 – is the perspective view of the lid, the closing means and the gasket in another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washing machine
Body
Housing
Compartment
Dispenser
Transmitter
Lid
Opening
Closing means
Plug
Extension
Arm
Hinge
Protrusion
Stopper
Rib
Meeting surface
Bearing surface
Gasket

The washing machine (1) comprises

a body (2),
a housing (3) situated on the body (2),
a dispenser (5) having at least one compartment (4) which is placed in the housing (3) so as to move forwards and backwards and in which liquid washing chemicals are loaded,
a transmitter (6) in tube form extending upwards from the base of the compartment (4), and
a lid (7) one end of which is formed as a closed tube, mounted onto the transmitter (6) such that a gap remains therebetween, providing the water to be sucked into the transmitter (6) and discharged by creating siphon effect when the amount of the liquid in the compartment (4) reaches a certain level.

Before the washing process, the user loads the liquid washing chemical into the compartment (4) by pulling the dispenser (5) out of the housing (3). After loading the washing chemicals, the user provides the dispenser (5) to be seated into the housing (3) by pushing the dispenser (5) forward. When the washing chemicals are desired to be delivered into the drum during the washing process, water is taken into the compartment (4) and thus the amount of the liquid in the compartment (4) is provided to reach a certain level. As a result of the siphon effect occurring between the transmitter (6) and the lid (7) at this level, the liquid in the compartment (4) is sucked into the transmitter (6) and is delivered to the drum from there.

The washing machine (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises

at least one opening (8) located on the lid (7), which provides air to enter between the lid (7) and the transmitter (6) and prevents the siphon effect from occurring, and
at least one closing means (9) which prevents air from entering between the lid (7) and the transmitter (6) and provides the siphon effect to occur by closing the opening (8) when the dispenser (5) seats into the housing (3).

Thus, the siphon effect is prevented from occurring before the dispenser (5) is fully seated into its place. Thus, the washing chemicals are prevented from being poured into the housing (3) before the washing starts in the case the washing chemicals reach the level at which the siphon effect occurs due to the agitation as a result of their fluid feature especially when the user pushes the dispenser (5) fast into the housing (3) after loading the washing chemicals, or in the case that more washing chemicals than the amount of the liquid washing chemical recommended by the producer are loaded. Thus, the washing chemicals such as softener, which cause stain on the laundry by interacting with the detergent when delivered into the drum in the prewash or main wash circle, are prevented from being prematurely delivered into the drum.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the closing means (9) comprises a plug (10) disposed on the lid (7), and an extension (11) disposed on the inner surface of the housing (3) and which provides the plug (10) to close the opening (8) by pushing the plug (10) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3). Thus, the opening (8) is provided to be closed when the dispenser (5) is seated into its place.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plug (10) comprises

an arm (12),
a hinge (13) that provides the arm (12) to be connected to the lid (7) movably,
and a protrusion (14) disposed on the free end of the arm (12), sized almost as the opening (8) and which provides the opening (8) to be closed in a leak-proof manner by being seated into the opening (8) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).

In a variation of this embodiment, the plug (10) furthermore comprises a stopper (15) disposed on the arm (12), which keeps the arm (12) in the ajar position such that a small distance remains between the protrusion (14) and the opening (8).

In a variation of this embodiment, the plug (10) comprises a rib (16) disposed on the lid (7) below the arm (12), compressed by the arm (12) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3), which provides the arm (12) to return to the ajar position such that a small distance remains between the protrusion (14) and the opening (8) by pushing the arm (12) when the dispenser (5) changes to the open position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid (7) comprises a meeting surface (17) which is inclined from the front backwards in the downward direction and whereon the opening (8) is situated. In this embodiment, the closing means (9) comprises a bearing surface (18), disposed on the inner surface of the housing (3), opposite the meeting surface (17), which provides the opening (8) to be closed by bearing on the meeting surface (17) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension (11) is disposed on the inner surface of the ceiling of the housing (3). In this embodiment, the opening (8) is situated on the upper surface of the lid (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the extension (11) is disposed on the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing (3). In this embodiment, the opening (8) is situated on the rear surface of the lid (7).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the closing means (9) furthermore comprises a gasket (19) disposed on the extension (11), which provides the opening (8) to be closed in a leak-proof manner. Thus, when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3), the air-tightly closing of the opening (8) and the siphon effect occurring are guaranteed.

In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the liquid washing chemicals are prevented from being prematurely delivered into the drum. Thus, for instance the problem of stains occurring on the laundry due to the interaction between the detergent and the softener is eliminated.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising

- a body (2),

- a housing (3) situated on the body (2),

- a dispenser (5) having at least one compartment (4) which is placed in the housing (3) so as to move forwards and backwards and in which liquid washing chemicals are loaded,

- a transmitter (6) in tube form extending upwards from the base of the compartment (4), and

- a lid (7) one end of which is formed as a closed tube, mounted onto the transmitter (6) such that a gap remains therebetween, providing the water to be sucked into the transmitter (6) and discharged by creating siphon effect when the amount of the liquid in the compartment (4) reaches a certain level,

characterized by

- at least one opening (8) located on the lid (7), providing air to enter between the lid (7) and the transmitter (6) and preventing the siphon effect from occurring, and

- at least one closing means (9) which prevents air from entering between the lid (7) and the transmitter (6) and provides the siphon effect to occur by closing the opening (8) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the closing means (9) comprising a plug (10) disposed on the lid (7) and an extension (11) disposed on the inner surface of the housing (3) and which provides the plug (10) to close the opening (8) by pushing the plug (10) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the plug (10) comprising.

- an arm (12),

- a hinge (13) that provides the arm (12) to be connected to the lid (7) movably, and

- a protrusion (14) disposed on the free end of the arm (12), sized almost as the opening (8) and which provides the opening (8) to be closed in a leak-proof manner by being seated into the opening (8) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the plug (10) which comprises a stopper (15) disposed on the arm (12), which keeps the arm (12) in the ajar position such that a small distance remains between the protrusion (14) and the opening (8).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the plug (10) which comprises a rib (16) disposed on the lid (7) below the arm (12), compressed by the arm (12) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3), which provides the arm (12) to return to the ajar position such that a small distance remains between the protrusion (14) and the opening (8) by pushing the arm (12) when the dispenser (5) changes to the open position.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the lid (7) which comprises a meeting surface (17) which is inclined from the front backwards in the downward direction and whereon the opening (8) is situated and the closing means (9) which comprises a bearing surface (18), disposed on the inner surface of the housing (3), opposite the meeting surface (17), which provides the opening (8) to be closed by bearing on the meeting surface (17) when the dispenser (5) is seated into the housing (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the extension (11) disposed on the inner surface of the ceiling of the housing (3) and the opening (8) situated on the upper surface of the lid (7).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the extension (11) disposed on the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing (3) and the opening (8) situated on the rear surface of the lid (7).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the closing means (9) which comprises a gasket (19) disposed on the extension (11), which provides the opening (8) to be closed in a leak-proof manner.