WO2016034302A1

WO2016034302A1 - A dryer comprising a fragrance source

Info

Publication number: WO2016034302A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/064377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramazan Ridvan SEKMEN; Murvet SARI; Ismail GERZELI
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-09-05
Filing date: 2015-06-25
Publication date: 2016-03-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dryer (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2) and wherein the items to be dried are placed; an air duct (4) that is situated on the body (2) and wherein the circulation of the process air (PA) that provides drying is realized; an opening (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that provides loading/unloading of the tub (3); a frame (6) that surrounds the opening (5) and that enables the tub (3) to be housed from the front side; a filter (7) that separates the lint in the process air (PA); a housing (8) that is disposed on the frame (6) and wherein the filter (7) is placed, and a fragrance source (9) that is placed into the body (2) and enables the items to be dried to be scented by being in contact with the process air (PA) during the drying process; further comprising a hanger element (10) that enables the fragrance source (9) to be placed into the housing (8).

Description

A DRYER COMPRISING A FRAGRANCE SOURCE

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a fragrance source.

In laundry dryers, the laundry to be dried lose the fragrance of the detergent and/or the softener thereon during the drying process. The reason for this is that the air that passes over the laundry during the drying process removes the fragrance on the laundry. In the state of the art, various embodiments are known for the laundry to smell good after the drying process. One of these embodiments is to place a fragrance source inside the dryer to provide fragrance. The fragrance sources are mostly placed into housings within the body of the dryer so as to be in contact with the process air that provides drying. In the drying process, the lints that come off the laundry can accumulate in the housing wherein the fragrance source is placed in the course of time and prevent the user from placing the fragrance source into the housing. Furthermore, the users have difficulty in placing the fragrance source without contacting the laundry and this situation causes consumer dissatisfaction.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2145997, a dryer is disclosed, comprising a fragrance source disposed on the front supporter that supports the tub from the front and whereto the user is enabled to reach easily.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20070007548, a dryer is disclosed having a fragrance source disposed on the lint filter.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dryer comprising a fragrance source that is placed so as to be easily mounted/dismounted by the user.

The dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a hanger element that enables the fragrance source to be hung into the housing of the lint filter. The fragrance source is mounted on the hanger element and the hanger element is hung into the housing of the lint filter. The lint filter is placed into the housing after the hanger element is hung. In this embodiment, the user does not have to insert her/his hand into the filter housing and placing the fragrance source is made easy by the hanger element. The need for a placing portion inside the housing for mounting the fragrance source by the hanger element is eliminated. At the same time, it is facilitated to take out the hanger element from the housing when the fragrance source is not to be used.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hanger element enables the fragrance source to be hung at the downstream of the process air after the filter and under the filter. Thus, the process air free from lint passes over the fragrance source and moreover the fragrance is enabled to mix with the process air without permeating the lint filter.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hanger element comprises a retainer whereon the fragrance source is mounted and a handle that enables the hanger element to be hung into the filter housing. The fragrance source is mounted to the retainer and the hanger element is placed into the filter housing by the handle and the fragrance source is enabled to remain on the hanger element inside the filter housing so as to be near or under the filter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the handle portion of the hanger element has steps that are configured to be seated on the protrusions in the filter housing without any gaps. Thus, the hanger element can be easily hung into the filter housing. The contact area is increased as the steps are seated on the protrusions on the housing without any gaps and the hanger element is prevented from being dislodged by the process air.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fragrance source comprises a foot that has a neck enabling the foot to be mounted to the hanger element and a plate on the neck that extends in the same direction as the surface of the fragrance source. The fragrance source can be easily mounted to the hanger element by means of the foot.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retainer portion of the hanger element has a T-shaped hole that is large enough for the plate to barely pass only through some part thereof. When the plate is inserted through the hole, the fragrance source is moved and the neck is seated in the hole such that the plate cannot be detached and the fragrance source is locked to the hanger element. By this embodiment, the user can mount/dismount the fragrance source to/from the hanger element without straining or requiring any effort.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one cover is disposed on the fragrance source, that provides outflow of fragrance and at least one claw is arranged on the first part of the hanger element, that enables the covers to remain open by being fitted on. The covers of the fragrance source are prevented from closing due to the effect of the process air.

In the dryer of the present invention, the fragrance source can be hung into the filter housing by means of the hanger element. Thus, the fragrance source is enabled to be used even in dyers not having fragrance source chambers. Furthermore, the user does not have to insert his/her hand into the filter housing for placing the fragrance source in the filter housing and the fragrance source can be easily mounted into the depths of the filter housing.

The dryer 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 dryer while the filter is being placed into the housing.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of a hanger element and a fragrance source.

Figure 3 – is the cross-sectional A – A’ in Figure 1.

Figure 4 – is the enlarged view of detail A’’ in Figure 3.

Figure 5 – is the perspective view of a hanger element.

Figure 6a – is the perspective view of a hanger element and a fragrance source placed thereon.

Figure 6b – is the perspective view of a hanger element and a fragrance source fixed thereon.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dryer

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Air duct

5. Opening

6. Frame

7. Filter

8. Housing

9. Fragrance source

10. Hanger element

11. Retainer

12. Handle

13. Protrusion

14. Step

15. Foot

16. Neck

17. Plate

18. Hole

19. Cover

20. Claw

PA. Process air

The dryer (1) comprises a body (2); a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2) and wherein the items to be dried are placed; an air duct (4) that is situated on the body (2) and wherein the circulation of the process air (PA) that provides drying is realized; an opening (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that provides loading/unloading of the tub (3); a frame (6) that surrounds the opening (5) and that enables the tub (3) to be housed from the front side; a filter (7) that separates the lint in the process air (PA); a housing (8) that is disposed on the frame (6) and wherein the filter (7) is placed, and a fragrance source (9) that is placed into the body (2) and enables the items to be dried to be scented by being in contact with the process air (PA) during the drying process.

In the dryer (1) the items desired to be dried are loaded into the tub (3). The hot and dry process air (PA) that provides drying is delivered from the heat exchanger (not shown) onto the items desired to be dried and removes the humidity of the items. The process air (PA) that carries intensive moisture after being passed over the laundry leaves the moisture by again passing over the heat exchanger and is heated to be delivered back into the tub (3). The process air (PA) leaving the tub (3) passes through the filter (7) to be cleansed off of the lints therein and as the housing (8) opens into the air duct (4); the process air (PA) completes its cycle by circulating in the air duct (4). The fragrance source (9) is disposed so as to contact with the process air (PA) and the fragrance molecules dispersed by way of diffusion from the fragrance source (9) are enabled to be carried by the process air (PA) to scent the laundry (Figure 1 and Figure 3).

The dryer (1) of the present invention comprises a hanger element (10) that enables the fragrance source (9) to be placed into the housing (8) so as to be hung therefrom. The fragrance source (9) is mounted on the hanger element (10) and hung into the housing (8). The fragrance source (9) hung by the hanger element (10) remains in a suspended state and the process air (PA) interacts with all the surfaces of the fragrance source (9). Thus, the fragrance molecules released from the fragrance source (9) are mixed with the process air (PA) swiftly. Moreover, the process air (PA) cleansed off of the lints therein is enabled to pass over the fragrance source (9) and lints is prevented from accumulating on the fragrance source (9), thereby preventing the exit points for the fragrance from clogging (Figure 2).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hanger element (10) enables the fragrance source (9) to be hung at the downstream of the process air (PA) after the filter (7). Thus, the fragrance released from the fragrance source (9) is enabled to mix with the process air (PA) without permeating the filter (7). By means of the hanger element (10), the user does not have to reach inside the housing (8) for placing the fragrance source (9) at the downstream of the process air (PA) after the filter (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the hanger element (10) comprises a retainer (11) whereon the fragrance source (9) is placed and a handle (12) enabling the hanger element (10) to be hung from the housing (8) (Figure 5).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) comprises at least one curved protrusion (13) at the inlet of the housing (8) and the hanger element (10) comprises at least one step (14) that is disposed on the handle (12) and that has the same radius of curvature as the protrusions (13) so as to be seated on the curved protrusions (13) at the inlet of the housing (8) without any gaps therebetween. The steps (14) increase the contact area by being to a large extent in matching configuration with the peripheral structure of the housing (8) and provide attachment. Thus, even though there is no element on the housing (8) wherefrom the hanger element (10) can be hung, the hanger element (10) can be attached onto the housing (8) (Figure 4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fragrance source (9) comprises a foot (15) that enables the fragrance source (9) to be mounted to the retainer (11) and that has a neck (16) extending perpendicularly to the surface of the fragrance source (9) and a plate (17) disposed on the neck (16) and extending parallel to the surface of the fragrance source (9). By means of the foot (15) the user can place the fragrance source (9) to the retainer (11) without any effort (Figure 6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (11) comprises a T-shaped hole (18) at least some portion of which is large enough for the plate (17) to barely pass through. The fragrance source (9) is placed on the hanger element (10) as the plate (17) is passed through the hole (18), and when the placed fragrance source (9) slides relative to the hanger element (10), the neck (16) is squeezed into the hole (18) and the fragrance source (9) is fixed to the hanger element (10). Separating the fragrance source (9) from the hanger element (10) is only possible by sliding the fragrance source (9) such that the plate (17) can come out of the hole (18) (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) comprises at least one cover (19) disposed on at least one surface of the fragrance source (9) and at least one claw (20) that is disposed on the retainer (11) and that enables the cover (19) to remain open when the fragrance source (9) is fixed by being attached to the cover (19). The cover (19) providing the release of the fragrance is attached by means of the claw (20) and stays open during the drying process without being affected by the process air (PA) (Figure 4).

In the dryer (1) of the present invention, the fragrance source (9) can be hung in the housing (8) with the hanger element (10) wherever the user desires without the necessity to be placed at a single location. When the fragrance source (9) is to be disposed, the user does not have to reach into the housing (8), the fragrance source (9) can be easily hung into the housing (8) by means of the hanger element (10). Furthermore, the foot (15) and the hole (18) that enable the fragrance source (9) to be mounted to the hanger element (10), the fragrance source (9) is prevented from being separated/dislodged from the hanger element (10), and the cover (19) is enabled to remain open by the claw (20) during the drying process.

Claims

A dryer (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2) and wherein the items to be dried are placed; an air duct (4) that is situated on the body (2) and wherein the circulation of the process air (PA) that provides drying is realized; an opening (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that provides loading/unloading of the tub (3); a frame (6) that surrounds the opening (5) and that enables the tub (3) to be housed from the front side; a filter (7) that separates the lint in the process air (PA); a housing (8) that is disposed on the frame (6) and wherein the filter (7) is placed, and a fragrance source (9) that is placed into the body (2) and enables the items to be dried to be scented by being in contact with the process air (PA) during the drying process, characterized by a hanger element (10) that enables the fragrance source (9) to be placed into the housing (8).
A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the hanger element (10) that enables the fragrance source (9) to be hung at the downstream of the process air (PA) after to the filter (7).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the hanger element (10) that has a retainer (11) whereon the fragrance source (9) is placed and a handle (12) that enables the hanger element (10) to be hung from the housing (8).
A dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by at least one curved protrusion (13) situated at the inlet of the housing (8) and the hanger element (10) that has at least one step (14) disposed on the handle (12) and having the same radius of curvature as the protrusions (13) so as to be seated on the curved protrusions (13) at the inlet of the housing (8) without any gaps therebetween.
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 4, characterized by a foot (15) that is disposed on the fragrance source (9), that enables the fragrance source (9) to be mounted to the retainer (11) and that has a neck (16) extending perpendicular to the surface of the fragrance source (9) and a plate (17) disposed on the neck (16) and extending parallel to the surface of the fragrance source (9).
A dryer (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the hanger element (10) that has the retainer (11) comprising a T-shaped hole (18) at least some portion of which is large enough for the plate (17) to barely pass through.
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 5 to 9, characterized by at least one cover (19) disposed on at least one surface of the fragrance source (9) and at least one claw (20) that is disposed on the retainer (11) and that enables the cover (19) to remain open when the fragrance source (9) is fixed by being attached to the cover (19).