WO2022258179A1 - Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé - Google Patents

Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022258179A1
WO2022258179A1 PCT/EP2021/065541 EP2021065541W WO2022258179A1 WO 2022258179 A1 WO2022258179 A1 WO 2022258179A1 EP 2021065541 W EP2021065541 W EP 2021065541W WO 2022258179 A1 WO2022258179 A1 WO 2022258179A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
laundry
treating
amount
loaded
chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/065541
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marco SPADA
Francesca BISARO
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag filed Critical Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority to PCT/EP2021/065541 priority Critical patent/WO2022258179A1/fr
Priority to EP21732263.5A priority patent/EP4352294A1/fr
Publication of WO2022258179A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022258179A1/fr

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
    • D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
    • D06F35/006—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying for washing or rinsing only
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
    • C11D3/38—Products with no well-defined composition, e.g. natural products
    • C11D3/386—Preparations containing enzymes, e.g. protease or amylase
    • C11D3/38645—Preparations containing enzymes, e.g. protease or amylase containing cellulase
    • C11D2111/12—
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/42—Detergent or additive supply
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/04—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
    • D06F34/05—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/18—Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine, and to a laundry washing machine configured for implementing such a method.
  • laundry items containing cellulose e.g. vegetal fibres like, for example, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera
  • vegetal fibres like, for example, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera
  • fabric shavers also known as a lint shavers or fuzz removers
  • lint shavers or fuzz removers
  • a drawback of these known solutions is that the removal of the pilling using a fabric shaver must be executed manually, and it commits the user for a lot of time, which increases with the number of laundry items to be treated. Furthermore, the cutting action of the fabric shaver may be effective only with pills of a certain dimension, in general a great dimension, that allows the shaver blades to engage them. Thinner pills are not engaged by said blades and therefore they may grow up to form visible pills thereby requiring another shaving operation by the user.
  • the blades of the fabric shavers whose action depends also from the pressure exerted by a user on the laundry surface, can damage also the surface of the laundry creating a number of broken fibres that form a further source for future pilling formation.
  • the pilling removal using a fabric shaver is a manual activity, there is the risk that the user can run the shaver more than once in the same region of a piece of laundry, or that he/she does not run the shaver in one or more regions, which compromises the uniformity of the pilling removal.
  • cellulase In known detergents used for washing laundry articles in a washing machine, a little amount of cellulase may be part of the chemical composition. The amount of cellulase is however so little not to produce any effective pilling removal after a single washing treatment, but rather to preserve the laundry article fibres that have to undergo many, and even frequent, washing treatments.
  • the aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which requires few manual activity and, in particular, less manual activity with respect to a pilling removal using a fabric shaver.
  • a further aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for appreciably removing pills from a laundry article with just a single treatment.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which reduces the risk of damaging the laundry during the removal of the pilling.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a way for removing pilling from laundry containing cellulose which allows obtaining a substantially uniform pilling removal, or at least more uniform than the pilling removal obtained using a fabric shaver.
  • a further object of the invention is reducing the time required for removing the pilling from a plurality of laundry items with respect to the time required using a fabric shaver.
  • Applicant has found that, by treating laundry in a laundry washing machine with a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry, at a temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes, the cellulase enzyme effectively removes the pilling from the laundry, requiring only very few activity to the user.
  • cellulase enzyme or simply “cellulase” is an enzyme that catalyses the cellulolysis process, i.e. the decomposition of cellulose and of some related polysaccharides; the name “cellulase” comprises several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans, and it is also used for any naturally occurring mixture or complex of various such enzymes that act serially or synergistically to decompose cellulosic material.
  • the specific ranges of cellulase concentration, temperature, and treating time, according to the invention allow the laundry washing machine to effectively and uniformly remove the pilling from the laundry, reducing the risk that the laundry can be damaged during the removal, as it can happen using a fabric shaver.
  • rinsing phases each of which comprising loading a rinsing liquid within the laundry treating chamber, wetting the laundry with the rinsing liquid, spinning the laundry loaded within the laundry treating chamber for extracting the rinsing liquid from the laundry, and draining the rinsing liquid outside the laundry treating chamber via the draining system.
  • the treating time is kept between 50-80 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 50-75 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 25-45°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 40-50 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 51-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 30-40 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 41-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 20-30 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 31-70 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 5-20 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 21-40 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber, the treating time and the treating temperature are regulated in such a way that a piece of laundry containing cellulose treated with the method is subjected to a tear force reduction lower or equal to 30% compared to the same piece of laundry untreated with said method, said tear force being measured according to EN ISO 13937- 1:2000.
  • the step of loading laundry containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine comprises loading a prefixed amount of laundry, to which correspond:
  • the amount of laundry is 1 kg.
  • the method comprises, if the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber exceeds the prefixed amount of laundry, the step of:
  • the method comprises, if the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber is lower than the prefixed amount of laundry (100), the step of:
  • the mixture comprises from 7 to 13 litres of water per kilogram of laundry.
  • the mixture comprises 10 litres of water per kilogram of laundry.
  • the cellulase enzyme contains a percentage of ENDO-cellulase, and a lower percentage of ESO-Cellulase.
  • the pH of the mixture is comprised between 3 and 6.5.
  • the one or more rinsing phases comprise two rinsing phases.
  • the laundry contains one or more vegetal fibres, alone or in combination with other fibres.
  • the one or more vegetal fibres comprise one or more of the following fibres: cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus.
  • the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry comprises the following steps:
  • the step of mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water is performed within the chamber and/or within the treating agent supply conduit and/or within the laundry treating chamber.
  • the step of providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber of a treating agent dispensing device comprises loading within the chamber a package of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry), or a water-soluble container that contains an amount of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry.
  • the treating agent dispensing device is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention, wherein the step of providing an amount of treating agent within a chamber of a treating agent dispensing device comprises loading within the chamber an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention.
  • the laundry washing machine comprises and/or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected to the control unit and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the method comprises the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, and performing one or more subsequent steps of the method depending on the acquired load amount information.
  • the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is performed before the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme in an amount raging between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry), and wherein the amount of treating agent in the mixture is selected based on the acquired load amount information.
  • the laundry washing machine comprises a warning issuing device operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the method comprises, after the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, a step of issuing, by the warning issuing device, a warning signal if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber exceeds a prefixed value.
  • the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry loaded into the laundry treating chamber
  • the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is performed after the step of loading laundry containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber of the laundry washing machine and comprises acquiring, by the acquiring system, the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry loaded into the laundry treating chamber.
  • the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected to a user interface operatively connected to the control unit and configured for allowing a user to input laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the method comprises the step of inputting, via the user interface, laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, and performing one or more of the subsequent steps of the method depending on the input laundry information.
  • the method comprises storing the input laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, in a memory unit comprised in, or operatively connected to, the control unit.
  • the method comprises issuing a message via the user interface depending on the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, input via the user interface.
  • the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber comprises one or more of the following pieces of information:
  • the acquiring system comprises the user interface
  • the laundry information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber comprises the piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber
  • the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber acquired in the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber is or comprises the piece of information indicative of the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, input via the user interface.
  • the user interface comprises a static user interface attached to a casing of the laundry washing machine and operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the method is controlled and/or configured via the static user interface.
  • the user interface comprises a remote user interface, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine, wherein the method is controlled and/or configured via the remote user interface.
  • the remote user interface is operatively connected to the control unit of the laundry washing machine directly, and/or via a remote server to which the control unit of the laundry washing machine and the remote user interface are operatively connected or connectable.
  • a further aspect of the invention relates a laundry washing machine comprising:
  • control unit for controlling its operations
  • laundry treating chamber wherein laundry and a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme can be loaded
  • the laundry washing machine comprises a program, stored in a memory unit comprised or operatively connected to the control unit, which is loaded or loadable in the control unit, and according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
  • the treating agent dispensing device is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention.
  • the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected or connectable to the control unit and configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the program stored in the memory unit provides that the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
  • the laundry washing machine comprises or is operatively connected or connectable to a user interface operatively connected or connectable to the control unit and configured for allowing a user to input information related to the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber, wherein the program provides that the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing a method according to the invention.
  • the user interface comprises a static user interface attached to a casing of the laundry washing machine and operatively connected to the control unit).
  • the user interface comprises a remote user interface, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit in such a way to allow remotely controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine.
  • control unit is connected or connectable to a computer network, wherein a program according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing the method according to the invention is downloaded in the memory unit from the computer network.
  • the download of the program from the computer network is activated and/or controlled by the user interface.
  • the download of the program from the computer network is activated and/or controlled by the remote user interface.
  • a pre-stored program according to which the control unit controls the laundry washing machine for performing the method according to the invention is pre-stored in the memory unit.
  • the pre-stored program is already available to a user when the laundry washing machine leaves the factory.
  • the pre-stored program is made available to a user only after receiving an unlocking instruction.
  • stating that a program is "available to the user” means that the user can access such a program for launching and optionally setting it; on the contrary, stating that a program is "not available to the user”, means that the user can't launch the program, for example because it is not included among a list of possible programs listed in the user interface, or because it is included in the list, but not selectable, etcetera.
  • Figure 1 is schematic lateral cross section of a laundry washing machine according to the invention while performing the method according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic frontal view of the laundry washing machine of figure 1, operatively connected to a remote user interface and to a remote server.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a casing, or cabinet, 2, preferably parallelepiped, advantageously configured to be positioned on a horizontal surface 20, for example the floor of a building, preferably by suitable feet 21, one or more of which can have, advantageously, an adjustable height, so as to adapt to a possible not perfect planarity of the horizontal surface 20.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a laundry treating chamber 3, mounted within the casing 2, wherein laundry 100 to be treated can be loaded, advantageously via an access opening, not illustrated, obtained in the casing 2 and selectively closable by a loading/unloading door 22, preferably hinged to the casing 2.
  • the laundry treating chamber 3 comprises a washing tub 30, preferably suspended to the casing 2 through springs 31 and dampers 32, in which a drum 33, preferably substantially cylindrical, is rotatably contained; the drum 33 rotates around a rotation axis 333.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 can be of the "horizontal axis type", i.e. the rotation axis 333 is horizontal or substantially horizontal; it is however clear that the invention can be applied, without any substantial modification, also to laundry washing machines of the "vertical axis” type, in which the rotation axis 333 is substantially vertical, and also to washer- driers (i.e. a washing machines provided also with a drying circuit adapted to blow hot air within the laundry treating chamber 3, so as to dry the laundry contained therein), both of the "horizontal axis" and of the "vertical axis” type.
  • washer- driers i.e. a washing machines provided also with a drying circuit adapted to blow hot air within the laundry treating chamber 3, so as to dry the laundry contained therein
  • the drum 33 is preferably provided with a rotating shaft 35, advantageously protruding from its rear wall 36, and preferably supported by one or more bearings, not illustrated, provided preferably in the rear wall 37 of the washing tub 30; the shaft 35, and therefore the drum 33, is preferably rotated by an electric motor 38, preferably, but not necessarily, fixed directly to the rear wall 37 of the washing tub 30, or connected to the shaft 35 by a belt-pulley assembly, not illustrated.
  • the drum 33 comprises one or more lifters 34, protruding from its inner lateral surface.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a water inlet circuit 50 adapted to feed water into the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. into the washing tub 30);
  • the water inlet circuit 50 can advantageously comprise a water pipe 8, fluidly connected or connectable to the water mains of a building (not illustrated), and fluidly connected, directly, or, more preferably, via one or more further components, like for example in the advantageous embodiment illustrated in attached figures, to the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. to the internal of the washing tub 30).
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a treating agent dispensing device 6 having a chamber 5 wherein a treating agent (e.g. a detergent, a softener, or another substance or mixture of substances for treating the laundry) can be loaded; the chamber 5 is fluidly connected to the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. to the internal of the washing tub 30) via a treating agent supply conduit 7.
  • a treating agent e.g. a detergent, a softener, or another substance or mixture of substances for treating the laundry
  • the treating agent dispensing device 6 is part of the water inlet circuit 50, and it is fluidly connected to the water pipe 8 in such a way that water coming from the water pipe 8 enters the chamber 5, removes and mixes with the treating agent contained therein, and goes to the laundry treating chamber 3 via the treating agent supply conduit 7.
  • the treating agent dispensing device 6 comprises a system, not illustrated, for piercing, or anyway opening, a package of treating agent pre dosed for a specific amount of laundry (for example a so called "detergent pod") loaded into the chamber 5, so as to allow the pre-dosed agent to come out from the package; suck a system can comprise, for example, a needle, a water jet, etcetera, not illustrated.
  • the agent dispensing device 6 can be mounted in a drawer 61, removably associated to the casing
  • the treating agent dispensing device 6 is an automatic dosing device, and the chamber 5 is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a treating program or cycle (i.e. a sequence of steps for treating laundry).
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises also a a draining system 4 for draining liquid outside the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the draining system 4 can comprise, advantageously, a draining conduit 41, fluidly connecting the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. the internal of the washing tub 30) to the external of the latter, which outlet can be connected, for example, to the draining system of a building, not illustrated; the draining system 4 can also comprise a draining pump 42, fluidly connected to the draining conduit 41 in such a way to drain a liquid from the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. from the internal of the washing tub 30) via the draining conduit 41.
  • a draining conduit 41 fluidly connecting the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. the internal of the washing tub 30) to the external of the latter, which outlet can be connected, for example, to the draining system of a building, not illustrated; the draining system 4 can also comprise a draining pump 42, fluidly connected to the draining conduit 41 in such a way to drain a liquid from the internal of the laundry treating chamber 3 (e.g. from the internal of the washing tub 30) via
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a control unit 10, schematically illustrated in attached figures by a dotted rectangle, for controlling the operations of such a laundry washing machine 1;
  • the control unit 10 can be or comprise an electronic board, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etcetera.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a memory unit 101 comprised in, or operatively connected to the control unit 10, wherein information can be stored; for example, if the control unit 10 is an electronic board, the memory unit 101 can be integrated in the latter.
  • the memory unit 101 can store, or be configured to store, one or more treating programs, or simply programs, according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing one or more laundry treating steps (e.g. a washing cycle).
  • the memory unit 101 can store, or be configured to store, a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises or is operatively connected to a user interface 12, operatively connected to the control unit 10 and configured for allowing a user to interact with the control unit 10; preferably, the user interface 12 is configured for allowing a user to control one or more functions of the laundry washing machine 1, for example to launch (and preferably also to set one or more parameters of) a treating program or cycle.
  • the user interface 12 is configured for allowing a user to input laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 can comprise one or more of the following pieces of information:
  • a piece of information indicative of the type of laundry e.g. laundry made of cotton, delicate laundry, etcetera
  • the type of laundry e.g. laundry made of cotton, delicate laundry, etcetera
  • the user interface 12 is or comprises a stationary user interface 12a attached to the casing 2 of the laundry washing machine 1 and operatively connected to the control unit 10;
  • the stationary user interface 12a can be, for example, a keyboard and/or knob and/or a display, preferably of the "touchscreen" type.
  • the user interface 12 is or comprises a remote user interface 14, operatively connected or connectable to the control unit 10 of the laundry washing machine 1 in such a way to allow controlling and/or configuring the laundry washing machine 1 via the remote user interface 14; in an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention can be controlled and/or configured via the remote user interface 14.
  • the remote user interface 14 is or comprises a smartphone, or a tablet, or a computer.
  • the remote user interface 14 is operatively connected to the laundry washing machine 1 directly, and/or via a remote server 15 to which the control unit 10 of the washing machine 1 and the remote user interface
  • control unit 10 of the washing machine 1 and the remote user interface 14 can be operatively connected to the remote server
  • the user interface 12 is or comprises both a static user interface 12a and a remote user interface 14; in this case, preferably, the user can control the laundry washing machine 1 both via the traditional user interface 12a and via the remote user interface 14, or via only one of them.
  • the user interface 12 can comprise only the static user interface 12a, or only the remote user interface 14.
  • a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention can be downloaded in the memory unit 101 from a computer network 16, for example Internet.
  • the download of the program from the computer network 16 is activated and/or controlled by the user interface 12, more preferably by a remote user interface 14.
  • a pre-store program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention can be pre-stored (i.e. factory set) in the memory unit 101; in this case, the pre-stored program can be already available to the user (i.e. the user can launch it, from example by the user interface 12) when the laundry washing machine 1 leaves the factory, or it can be "hidden" (i.e. not available to the user), and made available to the user only after receiving a suitable unlocking instruction, for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera, for example input by the user interface 12, more preferably by the remote user interface 14, if available.
  • a suitable unlocking instruction for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera, for example input by the user interface 12, more preferably by the remote user interface 14, if available.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises or is operatively connected to an acquiring system operatively connected to the control unit 10 and configured for acquiring load amount information (for example the weight of the laundry 100) indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • load amount information for example the weight of the laundry 100
  • the memory unit 101 is configured to store such load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the acquiring system is or comprises the user interface 12 (being it a static user interface 12a and/or a remote user interface 14), by which a user can input such load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3; preferably, in this case, the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 comprises a piece of information indicative of the weight (e.g. the actual value of the weight, weighed for example by a balance external to the laundry washing machine 1) of the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the weight e.g. the actual value of the weight, weighed for example by a balance external to the laundry washing machine
  • the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities (e.g. the weight, the maximum liquid absorption, the inertia) indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the acquiring system is configured for acquiring load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3: in this case, the acquiring system can be, for example, a weight sensor 11, operatively connected to the control unit 10, provided preferably at one of the dampers 32 for sensing/detecting the weight of the laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the acquiring system can be or comprise a system, not illustrated, adapted to calculate the amount of loaded laundry from the detected amount of liquid absorbed by the latter during its treatment with a liquid, or from detected data related to the electric motor 38 (e.g. rotation speed, absorbed current, etcetera) rotating the drum 33 containing the laundry 100, etcetera.
  • the electric motor 38 e.g. rotation speed, absorbed current, etcetera
  • control unit 10 is configured for performing one or more steps of the method according to the invention depending on the load amount information acquired by the acquiring system.
  • the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a warning issuing device 13, for example a buzzer and/or a warning light, operatively connected to the control unit 10, and the latter is configured for issuing a warning signal by the warning issuing device 13 if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds a prefixed value.
  • a warning issuing device 13 for example a buzzer and/or a warning light, operatively connected to the control unit 10, and the latter is configured for issuing a warning signal by the warning issuing device 13 if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds a prefixed value.
  • the method according to the invention can be implemented, for example, but not necessarily, in the laundry washing machine 1 previously described, which memory unit 101 comprises a program according to which the control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing the method according to the invention.
  • a program can be downloaded in the memory unit 101 from a computer network 16, for example Internet, preferably via the user interface 12, or the program can be pre stored in the memory unit 101, and it can be configured in such a way to be already available to the user when the laundry washing machine 1 leaves the factory, or in such a way to be made available to the user only after receiving a suitable unlocking instruction (for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera), for example input by the user interface 12, more preferably by the remote user interface 14, if available.
  • a suitable unlocking instruction for example a password, a PIN code, a specific sequence or combination of keys, etcetera
  • control unit 10 controls the laundry washing machine 1 for performing one or more steps of the method according to the invention.
  • the method according to the invention comprises a step of loading laundry 100 containing cellulose into the laundry treating chamber 3 of the laundry washing machine 1; advantageously, the laundry 100 is loaded, preferably manually, via the access opening, not illustrated, which is then closed, preferably manually, by the loading/unloading door 22.
  • the laundry 100 can comprise, for example a piece of laundry 100 (for example a jumper, a t-shirt, etcetera) containing cellulose, for example made of, or containing, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera, alone or in combination one another and/or with other fibres, optionally not containing cellulose.
  • a piece of laundry 100 for example a jumper, a t-shirt, etcetera
  • cellulose for example made of, or containing, cotton, viscose, rayon, bamboo, hemp, eucalyptus, etcetera, alone or in combination one another and/or with other fibres, optionally not containing cellulose.
  • the method according to the invention can advantageously comprises the step of acquiring such information, for example the weight of the laundry loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, before or after loading the laundry 100 into the laundry treating chamber 3, and performing one or more subsequent steps of the method depending on the acquired load amount information.
  • the step of acquiring such information can be performed by a user, before or after loading the laundry 100, for example by inputting the weight of such laundry 100 via the user interface 12;
  • the method can comprise the step of issuing a message via the user interface 12 depending on the input information (for example an alert if the input weight exceed a prefixed threshold).
  • the load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 is or comprises the value of one or more physical entities indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, the step of acquiring such information has to be performed after loading the laundry 100 into the laundry treating chamber 3; for example, after loading the laundry 100 in the drum 33, the control unit 10 can calculate the laundry amount from the current absorbed by the motor 38 for obtaining a prefixed speed variation.
  • the method comprises, after the step of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3, a step of issuing a warning signal by the warning issuing device 13 if the load amount information indicates that the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 exceeds a prefixed value.
  • the method according to the invention comprises the step of storing the laundry information related to the laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into the laundry treating chamber 3 in the memory unit 101.
  • the method according to the invention comprises, after the step of loading the laundry 100 containing cellulose into the laundry treating chamber 3, the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber 3 a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100.
  • the method according to the invention comprises treating the laundry 100 by wetting it with such a mixture at a treating temperature comprised between 5-60°C, and for a treating time ranging between 5-80 minutes.
  • the skilled person can define, within above ranges, the optimal combination of the three values (amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3, treating temperature, and treating time) effectively removing the pilling, and at the same time maximising the tensile strength of the treated laundry 100.
  • the amount of treating agent in the mixture is selected based on the load amount information acquired in the step (if advantageously performed) of acquiring, by the acquiring system, load amount information indicative of the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded into said laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 50-80 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is comprised between 0.00005 - 0.002 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then the treating time is kept between 50-75 minutes and the treating temperature is kept between 25-45°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 40-50 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 51-80 minutes if said treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 30-40 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 41-80 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.01 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less than or equal to 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry 100, then said treating time is kept between 20-30 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20-60°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 31-70 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the treating time is kept between 5-20 minutes if the treating temperature is kept between 20- 60°C. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 is greater than 0.03 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 and less or equal to 0.05 kg, then the treating time is kept between 21- 40 minutes if the treating temperature is less than 20°C.
  • the step of loading laundry 100 containing cellulose into a laundry treating chamber 3 comprises loading a prefixed amount of laundry 100 (preferably 1 kilogram), to which correspond:
  • the method comprises the step of:
  • the method according to the invention comprises, if the amount of laundry 100 loaded or to be loaded in the laundry treating chamber 3 is lower than the prefixed amount of laundry 100, the step of:
  • the mixture comprises from 7 to 13 litres of water per kilogram of laundry 100; more preferably, the mixture comprises 10 litres of water per kilogram of laundry 100.
  • the cellulase enzyme contains a percentage of ENDO-cellulase, and a lower percentage of ESO-Cellulase.
  • the pH of the mixture is comprised between 3 and 6.5.
  • the step of providing in the laundry treating chamber 3 a mixture of water and a treating agent containing cellulase enzyme, such that the amount of cellulase enzyme within the laundry treating chamber 3 ranges between 0.00005-0.05 kg per kilogram of laundry 100 comprises the following steps:
  • the step of mixing at least a part of the amount of treating agent with water is performed within the chamber 5 and/or within the treating agent supply conduit 7 and/or within the laundry treating chamber 3.
  • the treating agent dispensing device 6 is part of the water inlet circuit 50, and it is fluidly connected to the water pipe 8 in such a way that water coming from the water pipe 8 enters the chamber 5, removes and mixes with the treating agent contained therein, and goes to the laundry treating chamber 3, after providing an amount of treating agent containing cellulase enzyme in the chamber 5 of the treating agent dispensing device 6, fresh water can be loaded from the water mains of a building into the chamber 5 via the water pipe 8; water coming from the water pipe 8 removes the treating agent from the chamber 5, mixes with such a treating agent, and then the mix goes to the laundry treating chamber 3 via the treating agent supply conduit 7.
  • the step of providing an amount of treating agent within the chamber 5 of the treating agent dispensing device 6 comprises loading within the chamber 5 a package of treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of laundry 100, or a water- soluble container that contains an amount of said treating agent pre-dosed for a specific amount of said laundry 100; for example, the treating agent can be packed in a so called "pod", in which case, preferably, it have to be opened (e.g. by piercing, for example by a suitable piercing system, not illustrated, of the laundry washing machine 1), so as to allow the pre-dosed treating agent to come out from the package.
  • a so called "pod" in which case, preferably, it have to be opened (e.g. by piercing, for example by a suitable piercing system, not illustrated, of the laundry washing machine 1), so as to allow the pre-dosed treating agent to come out from the package.
  • the treating agent dispensing device 6 is an automatic dosing device
  • the chamber 5 is dimensioned to store an amount of treating agent suitable for performing more than once a method according to the invention
  • the loading of the treating agent does not need to be done any time that method according to the invention is performed, but it can be done only when the chamber 5 of the agent dispensing device is empty, for example after having performed two or more times the method according to the invention.
  • the method according to the invention comprises the step of spinning the laundry 100 loaded within the laundry treating chamber 3 for extracting the mixture from the laundry 100, and draining the mixture outside the laundry treating chamber 3 via the draining system 4.
  • the method comprises performing one or more rinsing phases, each of which comprises loading a rinsing liquid, for example clean water, within the laundry treating chamber 3, wetting the laundry 100 with the rinsing liquid, spinning the laundry 100 loaded within the laundry treating chamber 3 for extracting the rinsing liquid from the laundry 100, and draining the rinsing liquid outside the laundry treating chamber 3 via the draining system 4.
  • a rinsing liquid for example clean water
  • the one or more rinsing phases comprise two rinsing phases.
  • the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects; in fact, thanks to the method according to the invention, and to the laundry washing machine implementing such a method, it is possible to effectively remove the pilling from the laundry with only few manual operations on the laundry; in fact, in order to obtain the removal or the pilling from the laundry, the only manual activities required to the user are loading the laundry in the laundry treating chamber, optionally setting one or more parameters and/or providing information via the user interface, and launching the program.
  • the specific ranges of cellulase concentration, temperature, and treating time, according to the invention allow the laundry washing machine to effectively and uniformly remove the pilling from the laundry, reducing the risk that the laundry can be damaged during the removal, as it can happen using a fabric shaver.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de traitement du linge (100) dans une machine à laver le linge (1) comprenant une unité de commande (10) pour commander les opérations de la machine à laver le linge (1), le procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes consistant à : charger le linge (100) contenant de la cellulose dans une chambre de traitement du linge (3) de la machine à laver le linge (1) ; - fournir, dans la chambre de traitement du linge (3), un mélange d'eau et d'un agent de traitement contenant une enzyme cellulase, de sorte que la quantité d'enzyme cellulase dans la chambre de traitement du linge (3) soit comprise entre 0,00005 et 0,05 kg par kilogramme de linge (100) ; traiter le linge (100) en l'humidifiant avec le mélange à une température de traitement comprise entre 5 et 60 °C, et pendant une durée de traitement comprise entre 5 et 80 minutes ; essorer le linge (100) chargé à l'intérieur de la chambre de traitement du linge (3) pour extraire le mélange du linge (100), et évacuer le mélange à l'extérieur de la chambre de traitement du linge (3) par l'intermédiaire d'un système d'évacuation (4) de la machine à laver le linge (1) ; réaliser une ou plusieurs phases de rinçage, chacune d'elles comprenant le chargement d'un liquide de rinçage à l'intérieur de la chambre de traitement du linge (3), le mouillage du linge (100) avec le liquide de rinçage, l'essorage du linge (100) chargé à l'intérieur de la chambre de traitement du linge (3) pour extraire le liquide de rinçage du linge (100) et l'évacuation du liquide de rinçage à l'extérieur de ladite chambre de traitement du linge (3) par l'intermédiaire du système d'évacuation (4). La présente invention concerne également une machine à laver le linge (1) comprenant : une unité de commande (10) pour commander ses opérations, - une chambre de traitement du linge (3) dans laquelle le linge (100) et un mélange d'eau et d'un agent de traitement contenant une enzyme cellulase peuvent être chargés, - un système d'évacuation (4) pour évacuer le liquide à l'extérieur de la chambre de traitement du linge (3), - un dispositif de distribution d'agent de traitement (6) pourvu d'une chambre (5) dans laquelle une quantité de l'agent de traitement peut être chargée, la machine à laver le linge (1) comprenant un programme, stocké dans une unité de mémoire (101) comprise ou fonctionnellement reliée à l'unité de commande (10), qui est chargé ou peut être chargé dans l'unité de commande (10), et selon lequel l'unité de commande (10) commande la machine à laver le linge (1) pour mettre en œuvre un procédé selon l'invention.
PCT/EP2021/065541 2021-06-09 2021-06-09 Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé WO2022258179A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

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PCT/EP2021/065541 WO2022258179A1 (fr) 2021-06-09 2021-06-09 Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé
EP21732263.5A EP4352294A1 (fr) 2021-06-09 2021-06-09 Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé

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PCT/EP2021/065541 WO2022258179A1 (fr) 2021-06-09 2021-06-09 Procédé de traitement du linge dans une machine à laver le linge et machine à laver conçue pour la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012028483A1 (fr) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-08 Novozymes A/S Lavage à trempage concentré
WO2017157768A1 (fr) * 2016-03-16 2017-09-21 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Procédé pour le nettoyage du linge dans un lave-linge ainsi que lave linge
EP3428336A1 (fr) * 2017-07-13 2019-01-16 Miele & Cie. KG Procédé de traitement de textiles et lave-linge

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012028483A1 (fr) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-08 Novozymes A/S Lavage à trempage concentré
WO2017157768A1 (fr) * 2016-03-16 2017-09-21 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Procédé pour le nettoyage du linge dans un lave-linge ainsi que lave linge
EP3428336A1 (fr) * 2017-07-13 2019-01-16 Miele & Cie. KG Procédé de traitement de textiles et lave-linge

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