EP2013400B1
Active / In Force
EP
⏱️ 0.5 years remaining
Method for dispensing washing agents in a laundry washing machine, and laundry washing machine using it
Assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
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Filing: 2007-04-20
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Granted: 2012-03-28
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Expires: 2027-04-20
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for dispensing washing agents in a front-loading laundry washing machine, wherein a washing agent is contained within a compartment (207) of a dispenser (206) associated with the load door (209) of the washing machine. The washing agent is carried into the tub of the washing machine by water supplied to the dispenser compartment through direct lifting of water being present in the tub. The invention also relates to a laundry washing machine provided with a door suitable for implementing the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Costantino Mariotti
- 👤 Giovanni Bombardieri
- 👤 Roberto Vota
- 👤 Nicola Colucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:48
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/02; D06F39/022; D06F37/00; D06F37/02; D06F37/04; D06F37/06; D06F37/065; D06F25/00; D06F37/26; D06F37/28; D06F39/028; D06F39/08; D06F39/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Method for dispensing washing agents in a front-loading laundry washing machine (301), wherein a washing agent is contained in a compartment (307b) of a dispenser (306), and wherein water required for carrying said washing agent out of the compartment and into a tub (305) of said laundry washing machine (301) is supplied into the dispenser compartment (307b) by lifting water being present in the tub (305), said lifting of water being obtained by turning a drum (304) within said tub (304) at a supply speed being higher than a rolling speed at which laundry items roll in the drum characterized in that said dispenser (306) is associated with the load door of said laundry washing machine (301) and in that said compartment is provided with an inlet (364) located on one side of said compartment (307b), such that by turning the drum (304) at said supply speed water is lifted from the tub and flows into said side inlet (364).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said supply speed is 90 rpm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said washing agent is dispensed through a siphon actuated by filling said compartment (307b) with water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
Method for treating laundry items loaded in a drum (304) of a front-loading laundry washing machine, said method comprising at least one wash cycle and one rinse cycle, wherein said rinse cycle comprises a step wherein said drum (304) is turned at such a revolution speed that the water in the tub (305) is lifted into a compartment of a dispenser, said dispenser (306) being associated with the load door of said laundry washing machine (301), characterized in that said method for treating laundry items comprises a method for dispensing washing agents according to any of claims 1 to 3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
Front-loading laundry washing machine (301) comprising: • a drum (304) placed inside a wash tub (305), • a load opening for laundry which provides access to said drum (304), • a door adapted to close said load opening, • a washing agent dispenser (306) constrained to said door and comprising at least one compartment (307b) for containing washing agents, said compartment (307b) comprising at least an upper inlet (363) and a side inlet (364) located respectively in the upper area and on one side of said compartment (307b), characterized in that said side inlet (364) of said container (306) is adapted to allow water to flow into said first compartment (307b) as water is lifted from the tub of said machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Laundry washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said side inlet (364) is located at such a height that water can be supplied from the tub (364) only when the drum (304) is turned at a supply speed being higher than a rolling speed at which laundry items roll in the drum (304).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Laundry washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said supply speed is 90 rpm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Laundry washing machine according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said compartment (307b) comprises means for releasing a liquid contained in said compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Laundry washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said release means comprise a siphon (530) and that said side inlet (564) is located higher than the actuation level of said siphon (530).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Laundry washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said release means comprise an electromechanical valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Laundry washing machine according to claim 10, wherein said door is constrained to a cabinet of said laundry washing machine by means of hinges, and wherein said valve is actuated by control signals sent to said valve by a control unit through at least one cable routed through or near said hinges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Laundry washing machine according to any of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that said dispenser comprises an element to be secured to said door and a removable cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Laundry washing machine according to any of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said dispenser (306) can be removed and said door comprises means for securing said dispenser to said door.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Laundry washing machine according to any of claims 5 to 13, characterized by comprising a hydraulic system adapted to carry water from the household water main to said dispenser, said hydraulic system comprising in turn only one solenoid valve (312a).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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