U.S. patent application number 14/133168 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for guiding tray of washing supplies.
This patent application is currently assigned to Whirlpool S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is Whirlpool S.A.. Invention is credited to Sergio Ricardo Jager, Guilherme Henrique Manzi, Bruno T. Ramasco.
Application Number | 20140182719 14/133168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51015779 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140182719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jager; Sergio Ricardo ; et
al. |
July 3, 2014 |
GUIDING TRAY OF WASHING SUPPLIES
Abstract
The present invention refers to a guiding tray of washing
supplies, a type to be used in a vertical axis washing machine,
between at least one storage container of washing supplies (2) and
at least one supply flowing means, comprising at least one bottom
plate (11) and at least one containment wall (12), said tray (1)
also includes at least one outflow driver (13) disposed at the
bottom plate (11), may have at least one washing supply receiver
(15) or not, coming from at least one storage container of washing
supplies.
Inventors: |
Jager; Sergio Ricardo; (Rio
Claro, BR) ; Ramasco; Bruno T.; (Sao Carlos, BR)
; Manzi; Guilherme Henrique; (Americana, BR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool S.A. |
Sao Paulo |
|
BR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Whirlpool S.A.
Sao Paulo
BR
|
Family ID: |
51015779 |
Appl. No.: |
14/133168 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/561A |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101;
D06F 39/022 20130101; Y10T 137/85938 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/561.A |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20060101
D06F039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2012 |
BR |
20 2012 032461 5 |
Claims
1. Guiding tray of washing supplies, comprising a type of tray (1)
to be used on a vertical axis washing machine between at least one
storage container of washing supplies (2) and at least one washing
supply flowing means (5), being comprised of at least one bottom
plate (11) and at least one containment wall (12); said tray (1)
being particularly CHARACTERIZED by the fact of comprising: at
least one outflow driver (13) disposed at the bottom plate (11);
said outflow driver (13) comprising at least one essentially
surrounding edge radius (14), and said bottom plate (11) comprising
a slope (4), in horizontal direction, defined between five and
thirty degrees.
2. Guiding tray of washing supplies, according to claim 1,
CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it further comprises at least one
receiver (15) of washing supplies from at least one storage
container of washing supplies.
3. Guiding tray of washing supplies, according to claim 1,
CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the edge radius (14) is surrounding
in relation to the outflow driver (13).
4. Guiding tray of washing supplies, according to claim 1,
CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the edge radius (14) is
semi-surrounding in relation to the outflow driver (13).
5. Guiding tray of washing supplies, according to claim 3 or 4,
CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said edge radius (14) is irregularly
based on a decreasing gradient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Brazilian Patent Application No. BR 20 2012 032461 5, filed Dec.
19, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention refers to a guiding supplies tray for
washing, and more particularly, to a guiding tray supplies used for
washing of vertical axis washing machines equipped with at least
two separate containers supplies wash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As commonly known by a person skilled in the art,
embodiments of conventional vertical axis washing machines are
integrated by dispensing systems of washing supplies, which aim to
release washing chemicals (soap, bleach, fabric softener, among
others) in the washing space. Normally, the release of washing
supplies is automatically performed and in accordance with
pre-programmed washing cycles.
[0004] According to the technical literature pertaining to the
current state of the art, the known washing supply dispensing
systems are fundamentally integrated by storage containers of
concentrated supplies and by washing supply flowing means.
[0005] The current supply flowing means of currently existing
supplies dispensing systems are normally directed to regions free
of wash loads, aiming to prevent them from being degenerated by one
or other more aggressive washing supplies. That is, it is common
that supply flowing means to be directed to regions defined between
the wall of the water storage tank and the wall of the washing
basket (where the wash loads are arranged). As the water storage
tank has fluid communication with the washing basket, the washing
supplies directed between these two bodies tend to flow into the
interior of said washing basket which occurs without direct contact
with the wash loads, thus preventing degeneration thereof.
[0006] Optionally, and as described in the patent document BR
1020120319691, there are embodiments of vertical axis washing
machines devoid of water storage tank, where the supply flowing
means are not directed to the wash load and, more particularly, are
directed to the bottom of the washing basket.
[0007] In both cases, and when exist two or more storage containers
of supplies, there are two potential configurations of the washing
supply flowing means.
[0008] According to the first conventional configuration, said
storage containers of supplies have their fluid outputs connected
by pipes. In such cases, the pipes are interconnected to each other
via "T" or "Y"-shaped hydraulic connectors, resulting in a single
pipe that is directed or to the space between the water storage
tank and the washing basket, or to the bottom of the washing
basket, as explained in the patent document BR 1020120319691.
[0009] According to a second conventional configuration, said
storage containers of supplies have their fluid outputs directed to
a common manifold, which has outlet holes that, devoid of pipes,
are directly directed to the space between the water storage tank
and the washing basket.
[0010] Regarding the first conventional configuration described
above, there is a need to use a larger number of components,
namely, several pipes and hydraulic connectors able to interconnect
such pipes. This aspect comprises a negative economic point of view
(increases the price of the product) and a negative functional
point of view (there are more points for a possible hydraulic
leakage).
[0011] Regarding the second conventional configuration described
above, it appears that, once directed to a common manifold, the
washing supplies tend to get stagnant, and subject to undue
homogenization. Furthermore, this conventional configuration is not
suitable for implementation in vertical axis washing machines
devoid of water storage tank, as described in patent document BR
1020120319691.
[0012] The present Invention patent arises based on this
context.
OBJECTIVES OF TE INVENTION
[0013] Thus, it is an objective of the invention to present a
guiding tray of washing supplies provided with multiple input means
for washing supplies (from the storage containers of washing
supplies) and provided with at least an output capable of being
directly connected to the washing supply flowing means.
[0014] It is therefore an objective of this invention that said
guiding tray of supplies washing does not provide for the use of
additional hydraulic connectors.
[0015] It is also another objective of the invention that the
aforementioned guiding tray of washing supplies is applicable in
vertical axis washing machines devoid of water storage tank, where
the supply flowing means are directed to the bottom of the washing
basket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] These and other objectives of the invention disclosed herein
are fully achieved by the guiding tray of washing supplies, which
is the type to be used on a vertical axis washing machine, between
at least one storage container of washing supplies and at least a
washing supply flowing means.
[0017] In accordance with this invention, the said guiding tray of
washing supplies is comprised of at least one bottom plate and at
least one containment wall. It is further provided at least one
outflow driver disposed over the bottom plate, and may have at
least one washing supply receiver or not, coming from at least one
storage container of washing supplies. Furthermore, it is also
observed that said bottom plate comprises a slope in a horizontal
direction defined between five and thirty degrees.
[0018] In general, said outflow driver comprises at least one
surrounding edge radius in relation to the outflow driver, but
optionally, the edge radius can be semi-surrounding in relation to
the outflow driver.
[0019] Anyway, said edge radius is irregularly based on a
decreasing gradient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] This invention will be exemplified in detail based on the
figures listed below, including:
[0021] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a washing supply dispensing
system integrated by the guiding tray of washing supplies in
accordance with this invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates, in plan view, the guiding tray of
washing supplies according to this invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates, in side view, the guiding tray of
washing supplies according to this invention; and
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates, in side view, the guiding tray of
washing supplies according to this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] As previously mentioned, the main objective of this
invention is to present a guiding tray of washing supplies capable
of receiving washing supplies from at least two storage containers
of washing supplies, and direct them to a single washing supply
flowing mean.
[0026] In particular, it is also one of the objectives that said
tray is suitable for implementation on washing machines based on
the concept explained in the patent document BR 1020120319691.
[0027] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of said
guiding tray of washing supplies, hereinafter referred to only as
tray 1.
[0028] According to FIG. 1, it is observed that the tray 1 is
disposed under two storage containers of washing supplies 2 and
disposed over one washing supply flowing mean 5 formed by a
pipe.
[0029] Furthermore, in a schematic form (in addition to optional),
it is still possible to verify that the storage containers of
washing supplies 2 are fluidly connected to a valve assembly 3,
which regulates the passage of water from an external source (not
shown).
[0030] Both storage containers of washing supplies 2 and washing
supply flowing mean 5 (beyond the valve assembly 3) include items
widely known to those skilled in the art.
[0031] The tray 1 itself is essentially comprised of a monoblock
body made of polymer alloy suitable for thermoforming. However, the
tray 1 that can be made of other materials by known industrial
processes.
[0032] Said monobloc body is formed by a bottom plate 11 and a
containment wall 12 which surrounds said bottom plate 11.
[0033] In FIGS. 2 and 3, it is also observed that the tray 1
provides one outflow driver 13, which it is, in general, a passing
hole that, disposed over the bottom plate 11, has a lower
cylindrical tubular projection capable of being coupled in a pipe
or equivalent.
[0034] It is further observed that the outflow driver 13 has an
edge radius 14 (defined in the upper face of the surrounding or
semi-surrounding bottom plate 11).
[0035] Said edge radius 14 is not constant, that is, has a
decreasing gradient. This decreasing gradient provides a whirlpool
when the flow enters the duct. This whirlwind prevents clogging of
the duct in the collector and the pipe (washing supply flowing mean
5) and provides a better mixture of the washing supplies.
[0036] Also noteworthy is that the said edge radius 14 can be
surrounding or semi-surrounding. It means that is important to
have, at least, one low-relief part in the direction of washing
supplies flow.
[0037] Said bottom plate 11, in turn, aims to facilitate the
washing supplies flow (that enter the tray 1 through the washing
supply receiver 15). Therefore, according to the present invention,
it is found that the aforementioned bottom plate 11 comprising a
slope 4, in horizontal direction, defined between five and thirty
degrees.
[0038] Because if the angle is less than five degrees, the fluid
(mixture of water and supplies) leave residues of supplies in said
bottom plate 11, and if the angle is greater than thirty degrees,
the fluid flows without a good mixture between the supplies and
water.
[0039] The aforementioned washing supply receivers 15 comprise, in
general, low-relief areas that, defined within the perimeter
defined by the containment wall 12, are aligned with the storage
containers of washing supplies 2 outputs.
[0040] Once described an example of the preferred embodiment of
said object of this invention, it should be understood that the
scope thereof covers other possible variations, which are limited
solely by the contents of the appended claims, including therein
the possible equivalents means.
* * * * *