WO2013098064A1

WO2013098064A1 - A washing machine comprising a finishing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2013098064A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/075014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Basak Arslan; Ilkan Erdem
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-12-30
Filing date: 2012-12-11
Publication date: 2013-07-04
Also published as: EP2798115A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a tub (12) wherein the washing process is performed, a dispenser (3) wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed, a housing (4) disposed at the upper side of the body (2), wherein the dispenser (3) is mounted and an opening (5) located on the body (2), through which the dispenser (3) is mounted to/dismounted from the housing (4), the washing machine further comprising a finishing reservoir wherein a finishing chemical is loaded by accessing from the opening (5).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A FINISHING UNIT

The present invention relates to a washing machine that comprises a finishing reservoir.

The clothes are treated with finishing chemicals by the producers so that the clothes acquire properties such as dirt repellency, water repellency or self cleaning. The finishing process consists of several stages. First of all, the clothes are kept in baths containing finishing chemicals and the clothes are provided to absorb the finishing chemical. After the bathing process, drying process at high temperature is implemented so that the chemicals are provided to adhere to the structure of the clothes. However, as the clothes are washed with detergent, the finishing chemicals are removed from the fibers of the clothes and the properties of the clothes gained by finishing are lost. In order to eliminate this problem, the user places finishing chemical into the detergent partition before or after the washing process and the finishing process is implemented to the clothes so that the laundry acquires these properties again. User intervention is obligatory for this process.

In the state of the art, some solutions exist that facilitate adding finishing chemical into the detergent partition by the user.

In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US2008115294, a washing machine is explained that comprises a detergent chamber wherein the finishing chemical is placed.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein access of the user to the finishing reservoir for filling in the finishing chemical is made easier.

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 finishing reservoir that is used for the finishing process. The finishing chemical is filled by accessing the finishing reservoir from the opening where the dispenser, containing washing agents therein, is mounted.

The finishing reservoir of the present invention comprises at least one filling orifice situated at a distance accessible by the user inwards through the opening, that enables placing of the finishing chemical therein.

The finishing reservoir of the present invention comprises at least two partitions that enable different finishing chemicals to be contained therein without mixing with one another.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one pump that enables delivery of the finishing chemical from the finishing reservoir by pumping out and at least one valve that enables the controlling of the delivery of the finishing chemical from the finishing reservoir.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one delivery line that extends between the finishing reservoir and the tub and the valve that is disposed on the delivery line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one detergent chamber disposed on the dispenser and at least one supply line situated between the finishing reservoir and the dispenser.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the finishing reservoir is integrated with the housing of the detergent dispenser.

In this embodiment, the finishing reservoir is produced as a single piece with the housing wherein the detergent dispenser is fitted or is mounted at the lower side of the housing so as to extend into the filling orifice or into the housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the dispenser front panel closing the finishing reservoir opening is transparent or semi-transparent and the light giving "finishing chemical" warning is provided to be reflected out from the front panel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a finishing button that provides the finishing process to start automatically in the rinsing step when pressed by the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one sensor that detects the presence and/or amount of the finishing chemical in the finishing reservoir.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises at least one alerter that provides the user to be warned visually or audibly when the finishing chemical is finished.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the finishing reservoir can be accessed from the opening whereto the dispenser is mounted and ease of utilization is provided for the user in the process of adding the finishing chemical.

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 perspective view of a washing machine in the position that the dispenser, wherein detergent is placed, is pulled out.

Figure 2 – is the schematic view of a washing machine.

Figure 3 – is the top schematic view of a dispenser pulled out of the washing machine, a housing and a finishing reservoir in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the top schematic view of a dispenser pulled out of the washing machine, a housing and a finishing reservoir in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the top schematic view of a dispenser pulled out from the washing machine, a housing and a finishing reservoir in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washing machine
Body
Dispenser
Housing
Opening
Finishing reservoir
Filling orifice
Partition
Sensor
Pump
Valve
Tub
Delivery line
Detergent chamber
Supply line
Alerter
Finishing button

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), a tub (12) wherein the washing process is performed, a dispenser (3) wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed, a housing (4) disposed at the upper side of the body (2), wherein the dispenser (3) is mounted and an opening (5) located on the body (2), through which the dispenser (3) is mounted to/dismounted from the housing (4).

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a finishing reservoir (6) wherein the finishing chemical is loaded by accessing from the opening (5) (Figure 1).

The finishing reservoir (6) comprises a filling orifice (7) which is seen from the opening (5) when the dispenser (3) is pulled out partially or entirely from the opening (5) and that is positioned inside the housing (4) inwards through the opening (5), at a distance accessible by the user.

In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the user pulls out the dispenser (3) from the opening (5) in the body (2) when finishing chemical is required to be added into the finishing reservoir (6). When the dispenser (3) is pulled outwards partially or entirely, the filling orifice (7) disposed on the finishing reservoir (6) that is integrated with the housing (4) can be seen and is accessible from outside the opening (5).

The finishing reservoir (6) of the present invention comprises at least two partitions (8) that enable different finishing chemicals to be contained therein without mixing with one another. Different finishing chemicals used for different finishing processes like water repellency, dirt repellency, or self cleaning etc are stored in the finishing reservoir (6) without mixing with one another (Figure 5).

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises at least one pump (10) that enables delivery of the finishing chemical by pumping out from the finishing reservoir (6) and at least one valve (11) that enables the controlling of the delivery of the finishing chemical from the finishing reservoir (6) to the dispenser (3) or the tub (12) (Figure 2).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one delivery line (13) that extends between the finishing reservoir (6) and the tub (12) and the valve (11) that is disposed on the delivery line (13). In the finishing process that is generally implemented in the rinsing step or after the rinsing step, the finishing chemical sucked from the finishing reservoir (6) by means of the pump (10) passes to the delivery line (13) by the directing of the valve (11) and is delivered into the tub (12). Implementing the finishing process to clean laundry after the washing step provides the finishing chemical to adhere to the laundry in an effective manner (Figure 2, Figure 4).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one detergent chamber (14) disposed on the dispenser (3) and at least one supply line (15) situated between the finishing reservoir (6) and the dispenser (3). Delivery of the finishing chemical from the finishing reservoir (6) to the tub (12) and/or to the dispenser (3) is controlled by means of the valve (11) (Figure 2).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the supply line (15) is connected to the detergent chamber (14) wherein cleaning agent is placed for the aim of performing the pre-washing. The finishing chemical is delivered to the detergent chamber (14) by means of the supply line (15) after the rinsing step. Water is sent to the detergent chamber (14) in order to flush the finishing chemical contained in the detergent chamber (14). The finishing chemical that is diluted in the detergent chamber (14) is delivered into the tub (12) and the finishing process is provided to be implemented to the laundry (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the finishing reservoir (6) is integrated with the housing (4).

In a version of this embodiment, the finishing reservoir (6) is produced as a single piece with the housing (4).

In another version of this embodiment, the finishing reservoir (6) is integrated with the bottom wall of the housing (4) such that the filling orifice (7) extends towards the interior of the housing (4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a finishing button (17) that provides the finishing process to start automatically in the rinsing step when pressed by the user. The washing machine (1) starts the rinsing step after the washing step. After the pre-rinsing process, the finishing chemical is drawn from the finishing reservoir (6) and the finishing process is implemented to the laundry together with the rinsing process simultaneously. Afterwards, in the drying step, as hot air is delivered unto the laundry, both the finishing chemical is provided to permeate into the laundry and also the laundry is dried. Thus, energy and water savings are provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises at least one sensor (9) that detects the presence and/or the amount of finishing chemical inside the finishing reservoir (6) and at least one alerter (16) that enables the user to be warned visually or audibly when the finishing chemical is completely consumed. Thus, the user is provided to be informed about the finishing chemical being completely consumed or running low in the finishing reservoir (6) without interfering with the finishing reservoir (6). The user is provided to be alerted in the situation the finishing chemical inside the finishing reservoir (6) is completely consumed (Figure 1).

In the washing machine (1), the finishing reservoir (6) can be accessed from the opening (5) wherein the dispenser (3) is mounted and ease of utilization is provided for the user in the finishing chemical adding process. The user does not have to bend for adding the finishing chemical into the finishing reservoir (6) since the dispenser (3) and the opening (5) are situated at the upper side of the body (2).

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by 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 tub (12) wherein the washing process is performed, a dispenser (3) wherein cleaning agents like detergent and softener are placed, a housing (4) disposed at the upper side of the body (2), wherein the dispenser (3) is mounted and an opening (5) located on the body (2), through which the dispenser (3) is mounted to/dismounted from the housing (4), characterized by a finishing reservoir (6) wherein the finishing chemical is loaded by accessing from the opening (5).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the finishing reservoir (6) having at least one filling orifice (7) which is seen from the opening (5) when the dispenser (3) is pulled out partially or entirely from the opening (5) and positioned inside the housing (4) inwards through the opening (5) at a distance accessible by the user.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the finishing reservoir (6) having at least two partitions (8) that enable different finishing chemicals to be contained therein without mixing with one another.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by at least one pump (10) that enables delivery of the finishing chemical by pumping out from the finishing reservoir (6) and at least one valve (11) that enables the controlling of the delivery of the finishing chemical from the finishing reservoir (6) to the dispenser (3) or the tub (12).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by at least one delivery line (13) that extends between the finishing reservoir (6) and the tub (12) and the valve (11) that is disposed on the delivery line (13).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by at least one detergent chamber (14) disposed on the dispenser (3) and at least one supply line (15) situated between the finishing reservoir (6) and the dispenser (3).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the finishing reservoir (6) that is integrated with the housing (4).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the finishing reservoir (6) that is produced as a single piece with the housing (4).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 8, characterized by the finishing reservoir (6) that is integrated with the bottom wall of the housing (4) such that the filling orifice (7) extends towards the interior of the housing (4).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a finishing button (17) that provides the finishing process to start automatically in the rinsing step when pressed by the user.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one sensor (9) that detects the presence and/or the amount of finishing chemical inside the finishing reservoir (6) and at least one alerter (16) that enables the user to be warned visually or audibly when the finishing chemical is completely consumed.