EP0496708A1

EP0496708A1 - Improved delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines

Info

Publication number: EP0496708A1
Application number: EP92830015A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Silvano C/O Candy S.P.A. Fumagalli
Original assignee: Candy SpA
Current assignee: Candy SpA
Priority date: 1991-01-22
Filing date: 1992-01-17
Publication date: 1992-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-17
Also published as: IT221565Z2; ITMI910043U1; ITMI910043V0; DE69218473T2; DE69218473D1; EP0496708B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines, comprising a drawer vessel (1) divided into five compartments (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), thereabove there are provided means for supplying water for perfoming the washing cycle.

The main feature of the invention is that the compartments comprise a middle loading compartment (3), for introducing a first amount of water and an overwashing compartment (4), for introducing a second amount of water and the full dose of the washing detersive.

The second amount of water and the full detersive dose are supplied after the achievement by the first amount of water of a set temperature, in order to optimize the detersive performance and to increase the washing efficiency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines.
In previous Italian Patent Applications in the name of the same Applicant, i.e. the Italian Patent Applications No. 19716 A/87, 19564 A/88 21335 A/88 and 21576 B/90, there are illustrated improvements to washing machines and, in particular, to the drawer vessel or cup supplying to the washing machine the water and detersives for performing some washing cycles.
More specifically, in the Italian Patent Application No. 21576 B/90 there is disclosed a specifically designed cup, including five compartments, which cup has been specifically designed for performing a washing start step, therein, as the washing water is supplied, there is also supplied an amount of detersive corresponding to about one third of the full detersive amount and, successively, from an over-washing compartment there is supplied the remaining portion of detersive, as the washing water has achieved a set temperature.
Thus, a more efficient washing is obtained, since a portion of the detersive is supplied into water which has already achieved a given temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to further improve the washing efficiency of a washing machine, starting from the basic idea that this washing efficiency is directly proportional to the amount of detersive which is post-added as the washing water has obtained a desired or set temperature.
Accordingly, it is provided a delivering-dispensing assembly which allows to better exploit the detersive, both by reducing the loss deriving from that portion of detersive which in actual practice is not dissolved in the cold washing water, and by increasing the efficiency of said detersive, which is caused to be dissolved in water which has already been brought to a set temperature.
Moreover, a further object of the present invention is to provide a delivering-dispending assembly which is adapted to efficiently control all of the washing steps and, moreover, which can be easily fitted to the properties of several washing products like those which are conventionally used in 'washing machines.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an improved delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines, comprising a drawer vessel, divided into five compartmens, there-above there are arranged water supply means for supplying washing water, characterized in that said compartments comprise an intermediate loading compartment, for introducing into the washing machine a first amount of water, and an over-washing compartment for introducing into said washing machine a second amount of water and the full dose of a washing detersive, the supplying of said second amount of water and full dose of detersive being performed after the achievement by the first amount of water of a preset temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of an improved delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines, according to the present invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawing, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the drawer vessel according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the level of the water in the washing basin of the washing machine, after having introduced thereinto the first amount of water and after the introduction of the second amount of water; and
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the increasing of the so-called white point of the washed products, with respect to the variation of the rated amount of the washing detersive introduced into water brought to a preset temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, the improved construction delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines according to the present invention comprises a drawer vessel, generally indicated at the reference number 1, which is provided with five compartments, respectively indicated at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Above the drawer vessel 1 there are provided water supplying means, for introducing into the washing machine the washing water, which water supply means have been generally indicated at the reference number 10.
More specifically, the compartment 2 of the drawer vessel is a pre-washing compartment, which allows the user to perform a conventional type of prewashing, by an automatic programmed pre-washing step.
In this case, the possible remaining cleaning capability of the pre-washing can be exploited in the subsequent step; the pre-washing can be of an autonomous type, of a delayed switch-on type, or it can be fully omitted, with a start of the washing cycle in a subsequent step.
Adjoining the pre-washing compartment 2 there is provided an intermediate loading compartment 3, which is provided for introducing into the washing basin of the washing machine a first amount of water so as to achieve a minimum level indicated at 1 in Figure 2; this water is provided for softening the linen, with a quick heating of the water itself.
There is moreover provided an over-washing compartment 4, thereinto there is introduced a second amount of water, so as to reach the over-washing level L and thereinto there is further added, as it will be disclosed in a more detailed way hereinafter, the full dose of detersive.
The compartment 5 is the compartment provided for performing the conventional introducing of the bleaching material, whereas the compartment 6 is provided for supplying possible additives such as softening substances and the like.
From performed tests it has been found that by introducing a first amount of water through the intermediate cycle compartment 3, and by bringing this water to a preset temperature, a remarkable increase of the washing efficiency is obtained, since it is obtained a great reduction of the detersive loss which, by settling, practically is not dissolved, as well as being obtained a better performance of some companents of the detersive, in particular the high temperature detersive components, such as the sodium perborates and some types of sequestering agents and soaps.
As stated, during the intermediate loading step, exclusively water is introduced or supplied, that is water devoid of any detersive, with the exception of an optional addition of softening substances, specifically provided for improving the properties of the water which must be heated to provide the washing bath.
It is also possible, through the mentioned intermediate loading compartment, to introduce detersive, by loading doses of liquids devoid of any oxidizing substances and by loading, subsequently, the remaining portion of the detersive, with oxidizing substances,into the bath brough to the preset temperature.
The over-washing step, which is performed by supplying the second amount of water through the over-washing compartment, provides for the use of the full loaded detersive dose, with the water bath brought to the preset temperature.
This system reduces, and in actual practice overcomes,the settling loss of the detersive and the so-called chemical loss, related to a lack of oxygen development, by the oxidizing substances, at the start of each cycle and in all of the cycles performed at low temperature.
In fact, the sodium perborate provides its full oxidizing action at temperatures greater than 60°C, which are not present in the first portion of the washing cycles.
The addition of the detersive to the bath water which has been already brought to an optical temperature, favours a quick dissolving of the perborate, expecially for the washing cycle performed at 90°C.
By using a drawer vessel including five compartments, the user has the possibility of performing a conventional washing cycle, which comprises pre-washing, washing, bleaching steps, as well as an additive addition step.
Simultaneously, there are partially solved the mechanical loss and detersive settling problems, in addition to that of the chemical loss of the characteristic properties of said detersive.
To the foregoing it is to be added that it is moreover possible to set intermediate washing programs, since the achievement of the water levels in the washing basin can be detected by electrically controlled pressure switches, as well as by switches controlling the softening minimum level, the normal level with remotion of the detersive, the over washing level, as well as with timed loading for removing the dose in the over-washing step; moreover, the subject system is compatible with the variable temperature controls, as well as with the thermo-stop or fixed controls.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that by supplying water in two distinct steps, that is with a starting minimum water loading, for softening the linen, and a second step, by supplying the full dose of detersive, with the washing bath already brought to a preset temperature, it is possible to better exploit the characteristics and doses of detersive, thereby providing better washing results, together with a reduction of the detersive consume.
Moreover, the supplying of a minimum level of water inside the washing basin, allows to quickly heat said water, with a consequent reduction of the electrical power consume.
Finally, the disclosed construction affords the possibility of using softening or sweetening products exclusively for the amount of water which is actually necessary for the washing operation, and, moreover, it is possible to use either liquid or powder detersives, as well as detersives strengthened by oxidizing or calcium removing substances.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible with the intended use, as well as the contingent size and shape, can be any according to requirements.

Claims

A delivering-dispensing assembly for washing machines, comprising a drawer vessel, divided into five compartments, thereabove there are arranged water supply means for supplying washing water, characterized in that said compartments comprise an intermediate loading compartment, for introducing into the washing machine a first amount of water, and an over-washing compartment for introducing into said washing machine a second amount of water and the full dose of a washing detersive, the supplying of said second amount of water and full dose of detersive being performed after the achievement by the first amount of water of a preset temperature.
A delivering-dispensing assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first amount of water corresponds to a minimum level of water in the basin of the washing machines, provided for softening the linen to be washed.
A delivering-dispensing assembly according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the supply of the detersive dose into water having a preset temperature is effective to reduce the loss by settling of powder detersives and to optimize the development of oxygen from oxidizing detervives.
A delivering-dispensing assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it allows sweetening products to be introduced into the first amount of water.
A delivering-dispensing assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly is adapted to allow conventional washing steps to be performed, such as pre-washing, washing, bleaching and addition of additives.
A delivering-dispensing assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly is adapted to reduce the amount of detersive to be used for the washing cycle.