U.S. patent application number 12/485202 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for laundry appliance.
Invention is credited to CHARLES ROBB, ADRIAN ANTHONY SARGEANT.
Application Number | 20090308111 12/485202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413511 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308111 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROBB; CHARLES ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
LAUNDRY APPLIANCE
Abstract
The invention relates to a laundry appliance with a washing
additive dispenser. The laundry appliance comprises a cabinet, a
vessel for accommodating laundry, and a motor for rotating the
vessel relative to the cabinet. The vessel is rotatably supported
within a water tight enclosure. The axis of rotation is
substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to a front
panel of the cabinet. In an open condition, the cabinet provides
access to the vessel via a vessel access area. A washing additive
dispenser for dispensing additives to washing fluid contained in
the water tight enclosure is positioned so that user access to the
dispenser is located in the vessel access area.
Inventors: |
ROBB; CHARLES; (Manukau,
NZ) ; SARGEANT; ADRIAN ANTHONY; (QUEENSLAND,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TREXLER, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI,;BLACKSTONE & MARR, LTD.
105 WEST ADAMS STREET, SUITE 3600
CHICAGO
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
41413511 |
Appl. No.: |
12/485202 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61061847 |
Jun 16, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/10 20130101;
D06F 39/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/17.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20060101
D06F029/00 |
Claims
1. A laundry appliance comprising: a cabinet, a vessel for
accommodating laundry, a motor for rotating the vessel relative to
the cabinet, the vessel rotatably supported within a water tight
enclosure, the axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and
substantially parallel to a front panel of the cabinet, the water
tight enclosure being one of, a) a sub-structure within the
cabinet, or b) the cabinet, the cabinet including, in at least an
open condition, access to the vessel via a vessel access area, and
a washing additive dispenser with user access to the dispenser
located in the vessel access area.
2. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser
is located in a substantially vertical inside surface of the
appliance, said inside surface facing inwardly toward said
vessel.
3. A laundry appliance according to claim 2 wherein the inside
surface faces towards the drum and rear of the appliance, the
dispenser being located adjacent a top front surface of the
appliance, in front of and above the vessel.
4. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes to an
interior surface of said water tight enclosure.
5. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes to an
interior surface of said water tight enclosure adjacent the
foremost part of said vessel.
6. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes into a sump,
the water tight enclosure draining into the sump.
7. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein said dispenser
is located within said water tight enclosure.
8. A laundry appliance according to claim 2 wherein said dispenser
is moveably attached to said inside surface so that said dispenser
may be moved between a closed position and an open position.
9. A laundry appliance according to claim 8 wherein said dispenser
is pivotally attached to said inside surface so that said dispenser
may be pivoted between said closed and said open positions.
10. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 8 wherein
said dispenser lies substantially flat against said inside surface
when in the closed position.
11. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 8 wherein
said dispenser moves open automatically when a user activates a
dispenser opening system, said opening system comprising: a catch
to maintain said dispenser in the closed position, a catch release
mechanism to release said catch, and a spring and damper system to
control the opening rate of said dispenser.
12. A laundry appliance according to claim 11 wherein said catch
release mechanism is actuated via a button located on said inside
surface, adjacent a top edge of the dispenser.
13. A laundry appliance according to claim 11 wherein said catch
release mechanism is actuated via a button located in or adjacent
to a top front surface of the appliance.
14. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein the vessel
access area is above the vessel in a top loading configuration.
15. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein said
substructure is moveably coupled within the interior of the cabinet
in such a way as to allow at least an upper part of the
substructure to be withdrawn from the cabinet to the open condition
to provide the vessel access area, the vessel access area being
adjacent a top front surface of the substructure.
16. A laundry appliance according to claim 15 wherein the
substructure is withdrawn from said cabinet in a tilting or
pivoting motion, tilting or pivoting about an axis adjacent the
base of said cabinet.
17. A laundry appliance according to claim 15 wherein the
substructure is withdrawn from the cabinet in a substantially
horizontal sliding motion.
18. A laundry appliance according to claim 3 wherein a main lateral
dimension of said dispenser extends substantially parallel to said
top front surface, said lateral dimension extending across a
substantial portion of the width of said vessel access area.
19. A laundry appliance according to claim 17 wherein said lateral
dimension is at least 75% of the width of said vessel access area.
Description
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of 61/061,847, having
a filing date of Jun. 16, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a laundry appliance with a washing
additive dispenser.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] WO00/28126 describes a laundry appliance whereby the
perforated laundry containing drum may be moved out of the
appliance cabinet for ease of loading and unloading the laundry.
The drum is supported in an "east-west" side-to-side orientation
within a cabinet. The laundry handling system, including the drum
and many other components, is contained in a tilt-out or slide-out
structure allowing the laundry handling system to be moveable out
from the cabinet. Access to the interior of the drum is provided
through a slide away hatch section in the cylindrical wall of the
drum. When the structure is withdrawn from the cabinet the drum
hatch is accessed substantially from the top. The rotatable drum is
driven by a motor from one end only. The motor rotates the drum
during all phases of operation (wash, rinse and spin). The drum
hatch opening and closing operation is performed by fixing the
hatch relative to the cabinet, unlatching the hatch relative to the
drum, and rotating the drum to slide the hatch away from, or back
over, the open section in the drum wall.
[0006] EP211463 describes a laundry washing machine with a laundry
containing drum mounted in a side-to-side orientation within a
cabinet. The drum is accessed from the top of the machine via a
door in the top of the cabinet. A detergent container is arranged
at the top of the machine inside the cabinet, and is accessible
when the cabinet door is lifted when accessing the drum.
[0007] In this specification where reference has been made to
patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources
of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a
context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless
specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents
is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such
sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form
part of the common general knowledge in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
washing appliance that goes some way to improving on the above
laundry appliances, or which will at least provide the public with
a useful choice.
[0009] According to one aspect the present invention may broadly be
said to be a laundry appliance comprising:
[0010] a cabinet,
[0011] a vessel for accommodating laundry,
[0012] a motor for rotating the vessel relative to the cabinet,
[0013] the vessel rotatably supported within a water tight
enclosure, the axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and
substantially parallel to a front panel of the cabinet,
[0014] the water tight enclosure being one of, a) a sub-structure
within the cabinet, or b) the cabinet,
[0015] the cabinet including, in at least an open condition, access
to the vessel via a vessel access area, and
[0016] a washing additive dispenser with user access to the
dispenser located in the vessel access area.
[0017] The term "comprising" as used in this specification means
"consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement
in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features
other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present.
Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be
interpreted in the same manner.
[0018] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates,
many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and
applications of the invention will suggest themselves without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are
purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense
limiting.
[0019] The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages
constructions of which the following gives examples only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of all example laundry
appliance in which the present invention may be incorporated.
[0021] FIGS. 2a and 2b are diagrammatic cross sectional side views
demonstrating the manner in which the laundry handling system
emerges from the cabinet.
[0022] FIGS. 3a and 3b are pictorial views of the washing additives
dispenser of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a top view of the washing additive dispenser of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross section of the washing additive dispenser,
on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6a is a pictorial view of the washing additive
dispenser in the closed position within the vessel access area of a
laundry appliance.
[0026] FIG. 6b is a pictorial view of the washing additive
dispenser in the open position within the vessel access area of a
laundry appliance.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the washing additive dispenser,
on line 7-7 of FIG. 4.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of a second example
laundry appliance in which the present invention may be
incorporated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a washing machine of the horizontal axis type,
having a perforated drum 1 supported with its axis substantially
horizontal in an "east-west" side-to-side orientation within a
cabinet 2. The drum is confined in an open topped substructure 3
supported within the cabinet. The open topped substructure includes
surfaces which confine wash or rinse liquid, leaving the drum
within a water tight enclosure.
[0030] Alternatively, the cabinet 2 may include surfaces which
confine the wash or rinse liquid, leaving the drum within a water
tight enclosure. Some parts of the cabinet structure 2 may be
formed together with the liquid confining surfaces by, for example,
twin-sheet thermoforming. In particular the back and side walls of
the machine may be formed in this way.
[0031] The laundry handling system including the drum and other
components is, in the preferred embodiment of the washing machine
incorporating the present invention, contained in the substructure
3 within the cabinet 2. The substructure 3 may include a front
panel 4. In the preferred embodiment, the substructure is a
tiltable structure. The laundry handling system is movable out from
cabinet 2 as explained later with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b.
[0032] To give access to the inside of the drum 1 the drum includes
a main drum section 10 and a hatch section 5. In FIG. 1 the hatch
section is shown in its disconnected and withdrawn mode, with the
machine open ready for the user to add a washing load. The hatch
section 5 extends the full width of the drum, and is connected
along opposed edges 6, 7 to the two free edges 8, 9 of the main
drum section 10. The hatch section is connected in such a way that
it can be fully secured to each edge of the main drum section when
closed. Therefore, under a spin cycle of the washing machine, with
the drum rotating at up to 1000 RPM or more, the drum is capable of
handling the centrifugal forces generated.
[0033] The washing machine includes an electric motor (for example
rotor 13 and stator 14) to effect rotation of the drum during all
phases of operation) (wash, rinse and spin dry). In the preferred
form of the washing machine incorporating the present invention the
motor is a direct drive inside-out electronically commutated
brushless dc motor having a permanent magnet rotor 13 coupled to
one end 11 of the drum 1 and stator 14 coupled to the drum
enclosure. One suitable form of motor is described in
EP0361775.
[0034] Accordingly the cabinet 2 of the washing machine is formed
to provide access to the drum 1 in a substantially top loading
fashion, rather than the traditional front loading fashion more
common to horizontal axis machines.
[0035] It is a feature of the washing machine incorporating the
present invention to provide for ease and convenience when loading
and unloading laundry. This is achieved by mounting the "east-west"
oriented drum 1 and associated components of the wash system in a
moveable substructure 3, which in the preferred embodiment can be
tilted out of the laundry machine cabinet to present the laundry
drum 1, and in particular the hatch entry way into the drum, at a
convenient height for the user.
[0036] A preferred form of configuration for achieving this is
shown in FIG. 1, with the operation thereof demonstrated in FIGS.
2a and 2b. Laundry machine cabinet 2 formed by a rear wall 102, a
top 103, a base 104, and side walls 105 is provided with an open
front in which substructure 3 is mounted. Substructure 3
incorporates supports for rotating drum 1 along with the motor
which drives the drum. The substructure includes front panel 4
which closes off the cabinet 2 when then substructure is retracted
into the cabinet.
[0037] Side walls 106 of substructure 3 provide structural support
and carry the load of drum 1 and the laundry load accommodated in
the drum. According to one arrangement, the lower most edges 107 of
each side wall 106 transfers the substructure load to the cabinet
base 104. Front panel 4 does not engage with base 104 and does not
play part in weight transfer.
[0038] The way in which the tilt-out substructure is withdrawn from
the cabinet may be achieved in a number of ways, such as that
described in WO/00/28126. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b,
the bottom edges 107 of the side walls 106 may be arcuate in shape
to form rocking surfaces which roll on the base 104. To ensure that
rocking surfaces 107 on each side of the substructure 3 track
correctly and in lateral alignment along the base 104, the side
walls 116 have rack teeth 108 formed near in the rocking surfaces
107. These rack formations engage with a corresponding straight
horizontal rack 109 fixed to the base 104 of cabinet 2.
[0039] The rocking surfaces and corresponding tracks allow the
tilt-out substructure to be withdrawn from the cabinet in a rocking
motion by applying an outward force to the top portion front panel
4.
[0040] Alternatively, the tilt-out substructure may incorporate a
pivot point on what may be considered the foot or the front corner
of the machine. The substructure 3 is pivotally connected at the
bottom edge to the base of the washer. In use the user would pivot
out the substructure in a manner akin to a tilt out drawer, to
present the opened drum for loading or unloading of laundry.
[0041] In a further alternative to the tilting/rocking mechanism
described, ergonomic presentation of the clothes drum may be
achieved using a "sliding drawer" configuration. For example, a
laundry appliance with a sliding drawer configuration is shown in
FIG. 8. For such a configuration, the substructure supporting the
drum 1 may move linearly and horizontally in and out of the washer
cabinet The substructure may be supported on strong drawer slides.
For example, the tracks fixed to the drawer may ride on rollers
which in turn are supported on horizontal tracks which telescope
out of cabinet 2 on opening. When open, the drum surface is exposed
to the user from the top and the drum rotation is controlled to
present an open hatch to allow top loading or unloading of the
clothes drum.
[0042] With the withdrawable laundry handling system, the washing
machine incorporating the present invention is ideally suited for
location under a bench or worktop. A further benefit of the type of
washing machine described is that other laundry appliances, such as
a drier, may be stacked on top of the washing machine to conserve
floor space in a laundry.
[0043] The movable substructure incorporates one or more liquid
collection sump, which collect runoff liquid from different areas
of the surfaces enclosing the drum. One or more liquid collection
sumps generally indicated as 15 are formed in a bottom of the
substructure. In use, liquid exiting the drum through perforations
in the drum drains down front or rear wall portions of the
substructure 3 and collects in the sump 15 in FIG. 1. The sump
includes an outlet to which water within the sump drains. A pump is
connected to the outlet. In the preferred embodiment of the washing
machine incorporating the present invention, the pump is located
directly below the outlet, to operate at the direction of a control
processor.
[0044] In the preferred form of machine incorporating the present
invention the wash liquid is passed directly into drum 1, through
inlets disposed in one or both of the drum ends 11, 12. The shaft
extending from at least one drum end, and over which a drum
supporting bearing is fitted, preferably includes an open axial
bore. Pressurised wash liquid is supplied to the drum interior
through this bore.
[0045] Operation of the machine is controlled by a controller. The
controller may be a suitably programmed mircocomputer. A typical
microcomputer would include a microprocessor, memory and associated
support circuits. Alternatively, controllers could include
programmed logic circuits. The controller controls water valves,
pumps and the motor in accordance with programs residing within its
memory, with user settings at a macro level and with signals from
transducers and indications from the various motor loads, at a
micro level. Physically the microprocessor is preferably located in
an isolated and environment-proofed compartment mounted in the
moveable unit 3. For example, the controller may be located between
the front panel 4 and the inner front wall 16 of the moveable
substructure 3. This places it in close proximity with nearly all
of the items that it connects to. User settings are preferably made
on a control pad. The control pad may be mounted on or adjacent a
top front surface 17 of front panel 4 together with a corresponding
display.
[0046] In use the washing operation begins with the delivery to the
interior of the drum of a load of washing to be washed. Opening of
the drum hatch is accomplished automatically prior to user access
to the drum. In particular the machine includes a door latch
associated with the moveable substructure which restricts the
ability to withdraw the moveable substructure from the cabinet.
Activation of the latch is intended to be accomplished by user
activation of a touch control. It may however be by direct user
actuation of the latch, in which case a sensor must detect when the
latch is being operated. Preferably rotation of the drum 1 to a
preferred opening position and opening of the drum hatch 5 is
accomplished before the latch is fully released, so that on
withdrawing the moveable substructure 3, the contents of the drum
are presented to the user. Therefore, as soon as delatching of the
moveable substructure is requested by the user, any operation
currently in progress (for example spin or wash cycle) is
terminated. Drum 1 is then brought substantially to rest at a
position where the hatch section 5 may be opened. A hatch latch is
withdrawn to release the connection between edge 6 of the hatch
section and corresponding edge 8 of the main drum section 10. With
the hatch retrained in that position, drum 1 is then rotated
(clockwise in FIG. 1), to create the necessary opening, with the
hatch section 5 lying about the outside of the main drum section
10. The drum is now in its open configuration as shown in FIG. 1.
The moveable substructure is then de-latched from the cabinet 2 to
allow the user to open the door and access the interior of the
drum, for example as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2b. The drum is
locked in this position against rotation and remains in this
condition until the moveable substructure is closed and the wash
cycle started or recommenced.
[0047] The user places a wash load in the drum and places whatever
detergents and washing additives are desired into an appropriate
additive dispenser. The user then closes the door 4 and selects an
appropriate wash program, for example by pressing the appropriate
button on the control pad. A wash program may consist of any
combination of soak, wash, rinse and spin cycles of varying
intensity and duration.
[0048] With the wash load in the drum and the door closed, the
process of opening the drum is reversed. The main drum section 10
is rotated (anti-clockwise in FIG. 1) to draw the hatch section
back across the drum opening until the trailing edge 6 of the hatch
section is retained by the edge 8 of the drum opening and the
leading edge 7 of the hatch section locks with edge 9 of drum
section 10. The hatch latch is returned to the retained position to
securely interconnect edges 6 and 8, and the hatch section is
released from the substructure. At this point the wash, rinse and
spin cycles can begin.
Washing Additive Dispenser
[0049] The present invention relates to a washing additive
dispenser 20, to be incorporated into a washing machine. In the
preferred embodiment, the present invention will be incorporated
into a washing machine with a tilt-out substructure as already
described. However, the present invention may equally be
incorporated into any one of the embodiments already described,
including the sliding drawer style washing machine.
[0050] The present invention may equally be incorporated into a top
loading washing machine that does not have a moveable substructure.
This configuration of washing machine is well known, with access to
the drum being provided via a cabinet top or lid that opens from
the top of the washing machine cabinet, the lid generally pivoting
about an axis located towards the back of the machine. However, the
following description of the present invention will be explained
with reference to the washing machine of the tilt-out
configuration.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the dispenser 20 is in the
form of a tray. The tray includes two side walls 21, a rear wall 22
and a front wall 23 extending between the two side walls, and a
tray bottom 24 joined adjacent to a lower edge of each of the four
walls. The side walls and rear and front walls extend from the tray
bottom substantially normal to the tray bottom.
[0052] The tray may be divided into a plurality of separate
compartments by dividing walls 25 located parallel to and in
between the side walls 21. In the preferred embodiment shown in the
figures, three dividing walls 25 divide the tray 20 into four
separate compartments to facilitate four separate washing additives
such as a pre-wash additive, main-wash additive, bleach and fabric
softener. Alternatively a different number of compartments may be
incorporated as required by the desired machine operation.
[0053] The tray may be integrally formed in one piece, by injection
moulding or other appropriate manufacturing process known in the
art.
[0054] In the preferred embodiment, the tray dispenser incorporates
a cover 26 fitted to the rear wall 22 of the tray. The cover is
extends slightly longer than the rear wall, to overlap the side
walls 21 of the tray, and extends higher than the rear wall 22,
extending from adjacent the bottom edge of the rear wall 22 to a
height above the top edge of the rear wall 22.
[0055] In the preferred embodiment, the height of the cover 26 is
approximately twice the height of the front wall 23. Preferably an
upper edge 27 of each side wall 21, and an upper edge 28 of each
dividing wall 25 extends from an upper edge 29 of the front wall 23
to adjacent an upper portion of the cover 26. Preferably the cover
extends to a height above the height of the top of the dividing
walls and the side walls.
[0056] Alternatively, the cover may be integrally formed with the
tray. In this embodiment, the cover and rear wall are one and the
same element of the tray dispenser, with the rear wall extending to
a height above that of the front wall. In this embodiment the rear
wall also acts as a cover for the tray when the tray is in the
closed position.
[0057] The tray has an open top bounded by the upper edge 27 of
each side wall 21, and the upper edge 29 of the front wall 23 and
an upper edge 30 of the cover 26. The rear wall and front wall are
substantially longer in length than the side walls, so that the
perimeter of the open top is substantially an elongated rectangular
opening.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 6, the tray is located in a window in
an inside surface of the tilt-out substructure 3. In the preferred
embodiment the window is located in a substantially vertical inside
surface 40. The tray is preferably located towards the front of the
machine, in front of and above the drum 1, the inside surface 40
facing towards the drum and the rear of the machine. In this
position the dispenser tray is located substantially in the drum
access area when the moveable substructure is withdrawn from the
cabinet.
[0059] The tray 20 is moveably attached to the tilt-out
substructure 3, the tray being moveable between a closed position
and an open position. The tray may be slidingly attached to the
substructure, to slide between the open and closed positions. In
the preferred embodiment, the tray is pivotally attached to the
substructure. The tray pivot axis 31 lies adjacent to and
substantially along a bottom edge of the rear wall 22. The tray may
be attached by a pivot pin located adjacent a bottom corner of each
side wall of the tray, adjacent the bottom edge of the rear
wall.
[0060] The pivot pins may be formed integral with each tray side
wall, with corresponding pivot pin receptacles in the tilt-out
substructure in which the pivot pins locate. Alternatively the
pivot pins may be integral to the tilt-out substructure, with
corresponding pin receptacles 32 located on each side wall of the
tray.
[0061] The dispenser tray pivots around the pivot axis from an open
position (shown in FIG. 6b) to a closed position (shown in FIG.
6a). The dispenser remains within the water tight enclosure of the
tiltable substructure 3 enclosing the drum. The dispenser remains
on the drum side of the water tight surfaces enclosing the drum.
When closed the foremost part 23 of the dispenser 20 is located
approximately adjacent the foremost part of the drum 1.
[0062] In the closed position the cover 26 of the tray 20 is
substantially flat against the corresponding surface 40 in which
the dispenser tray is located. The shape of the cover of the tray
matches the shape of the surface of the tilt out substructure in
which the tray is located. For example, in the preferred embodiment
the surface of the tilt-out substructure in which the tray is
located is slightly curved. The cover is also curved, with a
corresponding radius of curvature to allow the cover to lie flat
against the tilt out substructure when in the closed position, as
shown in FIG. 6a. The tray may be slightly recessed into the
surface in which it is located, so that in the closed position, the
cover is substantially in-plane with the surface in which the tray
is located.
[0063] The dispenser tray pivots around the pivot axis from the
closed position to the open position. In the open position, with
the tray pivoted from the substantially vertical inner surface 40
of the tilt-out substructure towards and over the drum opening, the
open top of the tray 20 is exposed to a user in an ergonomic
position within the drum access area. Washing detergents may then
be added to the tray compartments in accordance with appropriate
washing instructions.
[0064] In the preferred embodiment, the top edge 27 of each side
wall 21 and the top edge 28 of each dividing wall 25 is curved,
with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the pivot radius
of the tray. This produces a constant height between the upper edge
of the side walls and dividing walls, and an upper edge of the
window in which the tray is located, as the tray is moved between
the open and closed positions.
[0065] As described above, the cover 26 is higher than the front
wall 23. The respective heights of the cover and the front wall are
determined by the radial distance from the pivot axis 31. As the
pivot axis is adjacent to and substantially along a bottom edge of
the rear wall, the cover height is substantially taller that the
height of the front wall.
[0066] Some of the compartments may be designed specifically to
dispense liquids, and other compartments to dispense powders. For
example, in the preferred embodiment, two of the compartments are
designed to dispense liquids, the bleach compartment 33 and fabric
softener compartment 34. Each liquid dispensing compartment has an
aperture 35 in the bottom of the compartment, the aperture located
substantially centrally in the compartment. The compartment is
fitted with an up-stand pipe 36 around the central aperture. The
up-stand pipe 36 extends from the bottom 24 of the compartment to a
height lower than the height of the compartment walls. The up-stand
pipe 36 provides an outlet for the liquid washing additive, the
outlet being raised to a height-above the bottom of the
compartment.
[0067] The aperture and associated up-stand pipe need not be
located centrally within the liquid dispensing compartment. For
example, the aperture and up-stand pipe may be located towards one
side of the compartment.
[0068] In order for liquid to be dispensed from the compartment via
the outlet 35, the liquid must flood over the top of the up-stand
pipe 36, down the top stand pipe and through the bottom aperture
35. In use, a siphon cap 37 is used to siphon liquid additive from
the liquid compartment. The siphon cap is preferably cylindrical,
open at one end, and closed at the opposite end. The siphon cap
fits over the up-stand pipe. The open end of the siphon cap abuts
against at least one shoulder 38 provided in the bottom of the
compartment. The shoulder 38 ensures that the closed end of the
siphon cap 37 is spaced from the upper edge of the up stand pipe
36. Three longitudinal webs 39 are provided on the outside of the
up-stand pipe. The extent of the webs 39 in a radial direction from
the centre of the up-stand pipe 36 corresponds with the internal
diameter of the siphon cap. Thus, the three webs ensure the siphon
cap fits concentrically over the up-stand pipe. The outer surface
of the up-stand pipe and the inner surface of the siphon cap create
an annular flow path for the liquid additive to flow from the
compartment. The liquid additive flows up the outside of the
up-stand pipe 36, in the annular space between the up-stand pipe 36
and the siphon cap 37, over the top of the up-stand pipe, down the
up-stand pipe and out through the central aperture 35.
[0069] In use, the user fills the compartment with liquid additive
to a maximum fill height. The maximum fill height is below the
height of the up-stand pipe. Therefore the liquid additive is
contained in the compartment. To dispense the liquid additive,
water is added into the compartment at the appropriate stage of the
washing cycle. The machine controller determines when to turn a
dispensing water supply on to add water to the compartment. As
water is added to the compartment, the liquid level in the
compartment rises to a level higher than the top of the up-stand
pipe 36. Thus, the liquid additive is dispensed from the
compartment via the outlet in a siphoning action, over the top of
the up-stand pipe. The liquid contained in the compartment will
continue to siphon over the up-stand pipe until the compartment is
empty.
[0070] To assist with draining the liquid from the compartment, a
well 51 is provided in the bottom of each liquid compartment. The
open end of the siphon cap 37 extends down into the well 51 to
ensure most of the liquid is siphoned from the compartment. A
further feature of the liquid compartment is at least one channel
41 in the bottom of the compartment, as shown in FIG. 4. The
channel 41 provides a drain path in the bottom 24 of the
compartment leading into the well 51. Preferably the bottom of the
compartment is slightly curved, with the well located at the lower
most position within the compartment.
[0071] To assist the user with filling the compartment, the
compartment may have a fill line marked on an inside surface of one
of the compartment walls. Alternatively, the siphon cap may
incorporate a tab 42 as shown in the Figures. The tab 42 is fixed
to the closed end of the siphon cap, preferably at an angle to the
closed end of the siphon cap so that the tab is oriented
substantially horizontally when the tray is moved to the open
position ready to be filled with liquid additive.
[0072] The liquid compartment may also contain a weir 43. The weir
may be adjacent to the front wall 23, and may extend parallel to
the front wall, extending between the side wall 21 and the dividing
wall 25, or extending between two dividing walls 25, the side wall
and dividing wall, or the two dividing walls, defining the sides of
the compartment. The top edge of the weir is below the height of
the compartment walls. The weir 43 allows any excess flow of water
to overflow from the compartment, over the top of the weir and out
of the compartment via a weir outlet 44. The dispenser tray has an
open bottom between the side wall and dividing wall, and the front
wall and the weir, the open bottom defining the weir outlet.
Alternatively, the tray bottom may extend between the front wall
and the back wall, with apertures provided in the tray bottom
between the weir 43 and the front wall 23, the apertures providing
a flow path and defining the weir outlet. Generally, in use the in
flow of water applied to the compartment is higher than the flow of
liquid additive being siphoned from the compartment. The excess
water flow into the compartment is passed over the weir 43.
[0073] Flow over the weir alone is not effective in draining the
liquid additive from the compartment. The siphon arrangement
ensures substantially all liquid additive is dispensed from the
compartment, except for a small amount of liquid remaining in the
well.
[0074] To ensure substantially all liquid additive is dispensed
from the compartment, the controller may cycle the siphon several
times, by adding water to the compartment a subsequent number of
times after the first siphon operation has completed. Some liquid
additives are relatively viscous compared to water. As the additive
siphons from the compartment for the first time, some liquid
additive may remain in a layer on the inside of the siphon cap 37
and the outside of the up-stand pipe 36. This layer of additive
drains to the bottom of the siphon cap and remains in the
compartment. This left over additive may be dispensed from the
compartment in subsequent siphon operations by adding water to the
compartment to begin the siphoning operating again. The liquid
additive is diluted by subsequent watering and siphoning
operations. The viscosity of the liquid contained in the
compartment decreases with each subsequent siphoning operation,
allowing substantially all liquid to be dispensed from the
compartment. It has been found that around five siphoning cycles
result in substantially all liquid additive being dispensed from
the compartment.
[0075] When in the closed position, and with the tiltable structure
3 also in the closed position, the dispenser tray is oriented so
that the up-stand pipe 36, the rear wall 22, the front wall 23 and
the weir 43 are oriented substantially vertically.
[0076] At least one of the compartments may be designed to dispense
powdered additives only, and not liquid additives, such as the main
wash compartment 45 and the pre-wash compartment 46. The powder
compartments may have an internal wall 47 parallel to the front
wall 23 in a similar fashion to the weir of the liquid
compartments. The internal wall 47 extends part way between a
dividing wall 25 and a side wall 21, or part way between two
dividing walls 25, the side wall and dividing wall, or two dividing
walls, defining the sides of the compartment.
[0077] The bottom 24 of the powder compartment extends beyond the
internal wall 47, extending from the rear wall 22 to the front wall
23 of the dispenser. A portion of the compartment bottom on the
front wall side of the internal wall 47 may be absent, thus
providing an outlet 50 for the powder to be dispensed. This
configuration is shown for the main wash compartment 45 in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, the whole of the compartment bottom on the front
wall side of the internal wall may be absent to provide the
compartment outlet 50. This configuration is shown for the pre-wash
compartment in FIG. 4.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 4, the top of the internal wall 47 may be
connected to the top of the front wall 23 by a bridging portion 48.
The bridging portion 48 may extend all the way along the top of
internal wall 47 as shown for the pre-wash compartment 46, or part
way along the internal wall as shown for the main wash compartment
45.
[0079] The bottom of the powder compartment is preferably radiused
into the walls of the compartment to prevent any corner areas in
which powdered additives may get stuck. The radius between the
bottom 24 and a compartment wall 21, 22, 23, 25 may extend
approximately 50% up the height of the wall. The radius between the
bottom 24 and the internal wall 47, on the rear wall side of the
internal wall, may diminish to substantially an un-radiused corner
at the extent 52 of the internal wall 47. The radius between the
bottom 24 and the side wall 21, or the bottom 24 and a dividing
wall 25, in line with the internal wall 47 may diminish to an
un-radiused corner. The radius between the bottom 24 and the front
wall 23 may diminish to an un-radiused corner. The extent of the
compartment walls 21, 22, 23, 25, 47 being radiused into the bottom
24 is shown by line 49 in FIG. 4. The radiused bottom provides a
drain path from the edges of the bottom and compartment walls to
the compartment outlet 50 formed between the internal wall 47 and
the front wall 23 of the tray. The outlet is located at the
lowermost position of the compartment bottom.
[0080] It has been found that the relatively large radius between
the compartment walls and compartment bottom are necessary to
prevent powdered collecting in corners of the compartment. It is
not so important to have a radius between the side walls 21 and the
bottom 24 in the liquid dispensing compartments. The liquid
dispensing compartments 33, 34 have a substantially sharp or
un-radiused transition between the bottom of the compartment walls
21, 22, 25, 43 and the compartment bottom 24, compared to the
powder dispensing compartments 45, 46.
[0081] As described above, the liquid dispensing compartments 33,
34 are designed to dispense liquid additive only. However, although
primarily designed to dispense powdered additives, the powdered
additives compartments 45, 46 may be designed to also dispense
liquids. A powdered additive compartment may be converted to
dispense liquid additives by providing the facility to allow a user
to fit a removable siphon insert to the compartment. A suitable
removable insert for converting a powder dispensing compartment to
a liquid dispensing department would have a bottom and four side
walls, the insert shaped to be received within the compartment. The
insert would incorporate a well and up-stand pipe as previously
described, and would be used with an associated siphon cap. The
outlet of the up-stand pipe would communicate with an outlet 50 of
the powder dispensing compartment 45, 46.
[0082] A shower assembly 60 may be mounted above the dispenser tray
20 when the tray is in the closed position and the tiltable
structure is closed. When the dispenser tray is in the closed
position, the shower assembly sprays water into the dispenser. The
water spray enters the tray through the tray open top. The
controller controls valves to direct water spray into each
dispenser compartment as required by the chosen wash cycle, to
flush the washing additive from each compartment, and to clean the
dispenser once all additives have been dispensed. The shower may
spray water into the dispenser compartments individually as
required by the washing cycle.
[0083] In one embodiment the dispenser is opened and closed by the
user manually pulling the tray 20 open and pushing the tray 20
closed. A simple locking clip may be attached to an upper edge of
the dispenser tray to hold the tray in the closed position, and to
set the tray in the fully open position. The locking clip may be
located along the upper edge of one of the dividing walls. In this
case, a portion of the dividing wall may be shaped to accommodate
fitment of the clip to the dispenser tray.
[0084] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a catch 70
is provided in a cantilever configuration, with a cantilever
portion 71 being fixed adjacent to the rear wall 22 or cover 26,
adjacent the opening of tray. The cantilever portion 71 is attached
by a flexible connection 72 to the tray so that the cantilever
portion and catch may be deflected downwards, flexing about the
connection point 72 adjacent the rear wall 22 or cover 26. The
cantilever portion 71 is preferably located in a cavity 73 in the
dividing wall 25 separating two compartments. The cavity 73 is
located below the upper edge 28 of the dividing wall, the
cantilever position being located below the upper edge of the
dividing wall 25. The catch 70 extends through a first aperture 74
in the upper edge of the dividing wall, the first aperture 74 and
catch 70 preferably being located substantially adjacent the front
wall 23 of the dispenser tray 20.
[0085] The cantilever portion 71 is provided with at least one
actuating knob 75. The actuating knob extends through a second
aperture 76 in the upper edge 28 of the dividing wall 25, the
second aperture and actuating knob are preferably located near the
cover 26 end of the cantilever portion 71. Downwards pressure on
the actuating knob deflects the cantilever portion, and hence the
catch 70, downwards, to displace the catch into the dividing wall
cavity 73.
[0086] In the preferred embodiment, the cantilever portion 71 is
fitted with two actuating knobs 75, the knobs being centred around
the corresponding dividing wall 25. A bottom surface 77 of each
knob as shown in FIG. 3b acts as a shoulder to bear against a
corresponding shoulder 78 on the dividing wall 25. The knob
shoulders bearing against the corresponding dividing wall shoulders
set a limit to the amount the cantilever portion 71 can be
deflected downwards. This arrangement prevents over flexing and
damage to the flexible connection 72 connecting the cantilever
portion to the tray.
[0087] When the tray is in the closed position, the cantilever
portion and catch is in their raised position, the catch hooking
against a corresponding first internal surface of the appliance. In
the preferred embodiment, the catch 70 hooks onto a back surface of
the shower assembly 60 when the tray is closed. The catch maintains
the tray in the closed position.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 6a, preferably, a button 80 is movably
attached adjacent to the vertical surface 40 in which the dispenser
20 is located. Inwards movement of the button 80 strikes the
actuating knobs 75 and displaces the cantilever portion 71 and
catch 70 downwards, until the catch disengages from and clears the
corresponding internal surface of the appliance. Once the catch is
clear from the internal surface, the dispenser tray may be moved
open. One the tray is moved from the closed position, the actuating
knob 75 clears the button and the cantilever portion and catch
return to their raised position.
[0089] The button 80 may move relative to the tray and the tiltable
structure in a sliding manner, or the button may pivot, for example
pivoting about an axis adjacent a top edge of the button.
[0090] As described previously, preferably the cover 26 extends
above the height of the top of the dividing walls and side walls of
the tray. To allow the button 80 to contact the actuating knobs 75,
a cut out 81 is provided in the cover 26 in which the button is
located.
[0091] In the open position, the catch 70 hooks against a second
internal surface of the appliance. In the preferred embodiment the
catch 70 hooks against a back side of the surface 40 in which the
dispenser tray is located. The catch prevents the tray from being
opened beyond the open position.
[0092] The dispenser 20 may be opened and closed by the user
manually pulling the tray open and pushing the tray closed.
Alternatively, the dispenser may be fitted with a spring and damper
system. In this embodiment, the tray 20 is pushed manually to the
closed position where the catch 70 hooks the first internal surface
to maintain the tray in the closed position against the spring
force. Once the catch is released from the first internal surface
by the button 80, the tray tilts out automatically under action of
the spring and damper system, until the open position is reached
where the catch 70 hooks the second internal surface.
[0093] The catch release mechanism may be actuated by a push button
as described previously. Alternatively, a button may be located on
an alternative surface of the appliance, such as on the front panel
4, or on or adjacent to the top surface 17 of the front panel 4
which is ergonomically accessible. The button may be a mechanically
displaced button such as a touch pad or other button like that
described previously, or it may be a virtual button on a touch
screen. The button may form part of at catch system that operates a
mechanical catch. Alternatively, the button may operate an
electromechanical device to drive the dispenser tray to open and
close automatically. Alternatively the catch release may be a
push-to-close/push-to-open mechanism that is actuated by pushing a
location on the back surface of the dispenser tray rear wall, to
initially push the tray in the closed direction to release the
catch.
[0094] With the dispenser tray attached to the tilt-out
substructure together with the other laundry handling system
components, there is no requirement for a flexible hose between the
dispenser tray outlet and the inside of the washing machine. The
various washing additives added to the dispenser compartments are
flushed directly from the dispenser onto an interior surface or
surfaces of the enclosure surrounding the drum and into the sump 15
in the bottom of the substructure, and not into the drum or onto
the clothes. This allows for a substantially uniform dispersion of
the washing additives into the wash water. Alternatively, the
dispenser may flush directly into the sump. During a wash cycle,
the wash water contained within the sump is pumped from the sump
into the drum. The wash water may be continuously recirculated
during a wash cycle. Once a wash cycle is completed, the wash water
is pumped from the sump to a drain for disposal.
[0095] In prior art washing machines, the powder may be drained
from a powder dispenser directly onto the clothes washing load,
which can result in variable dispersion of the washing powder, and
at worst, un-dissolved powder remaining on the clothes at the end
of the washing cycle.
[0096] With the dispenser tray located in surface 40 of the
substructure, the dispenser is oriented substantially parallel to
the drum axis and the front panel 4 of the appliance. In this
position, the tray 20 may extend across the appliance for a
significant portion of the width of the drum access area. For
example, the tray may extend across at least 75% of the width of
the drum access area. In the preferred embodiment the tray is
located centrally in surface 40, with the centreline of the tray
substantially inline with the centre line of the drum.
Alternatively, the tray may be located to one side of the drum
centre line.
[0097] With the tilt-out substructure withdrawn from the cabinet,
and the dispenser tray pivoted to the open position at the inside
top front of the appliance, the dispenser tray is easily
accessible. With the tray in the closed position, the inside of the
appliance looks tidy, and the access area to the drum is
maximised.
[0098] The foregoing description of the invention includes
preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *