EP0152359A1 - Apparatus and method for washing laundry in a machine with a liquid detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

The substantially spherical device incorporates a body (41) and a cover-assembly (42). The latter has vents (47) and can be screwed onto the body (41). In use, with the cover (42) removed, the body (41) is filled through the opening (44) with liquid detergent up to the chosen level A or B. The cover (42) is then fixed and then the device is introduced into the drum of the machine where the linen is already present. During washing, the detergent is gradually distributed outwards by passing through the vents (47). A flat portion (43) opposite opening (44) facilitates filling the device. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to the field of machine washing machine and relates to a device designed for the implementation of a machine washing and cleaning process machine, with a liquid detergent, of the type described in the patent application FR 84 06151 filed on April 18, 1984 for "Washing machine in a machine with a liquid detergent and device for its appli-cation" in the name of the applicant, The invention thus relates to a device, generally rechargeable, which is first of all filled with liquid detergent, then placed in the drum of the machine with the laundry to be washed. The detergent contained in the device gradually diffuses into the washing medium and into the laundry in the machine.

The aforementioned patent already gives illustrative examples of such devices for implementing the washing process. In one embodiment, the device comprises a filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the laundry during washing.

The present invention relates to an improved device belonging to the general type which has just been described.

The invention therefore relates to a device for washing laundry in the machine with a liquid detergent, said device comprising at least one filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the laundry during washing, said device being characterized in that it has an essentially spherical shape.

• - le dispositif présente un méplat permettant son maintien en position stable sur une surface horizontale;
• - le méplat est diamétralement opposé à l'orifice de remplissage;
• - le dispositif présente un corps essentiellement sphérique muni d'une ouverture et un ensemble rapporté, ledit ensemble coiffant ladite ouverture et étant destiné au remplissage et/ou à la diffusion du liquide;
• - le corps et l'ensemble forment une surface extérieure sphérique pratiquement continue, le dispositif ayant ainsi l'allure générale d'une boule;
• - l'ensemble est monté de manière amovible sur le corps, par exemple sous forme d'un montage rapide par.rotation ou par pression ;
• - l'ensemble est monté à demeure sur le corps;
• - l'ensemble comprend une pluralité d'évents répartis circonférentiellement d'une manière régulière;
• - l'ensemble est amovible et ne comprend pas d'orifice en dehors des évents de diffusion;
• - l'ensemble est monté à demeure et comprend au moins un orifice central de-remplissage et des évents répartis à sa périphérie;
• - l'orifice de remplissage a la forme d'une cheminée plongeant à l'intérieur du corps;
• - la face extrême de la cheminée, située à l'intérieur du corps est fermée par une paroi et la cheminée présente des trous servant au remplissage;
• - l'ensemble comprend des moyens de préhension facilitant l'accès aux moyens de préhension;
• -·le corps sphérique est interrompu par une surface plane en forme de couronne, entourant concentriquement son ouverture;
• - le corps est en une matière permettant à l'utilisateur de voir le niveau de liquide contenu dans le corps lors du remplissage;
• - le corps présente des marquages externes correspondant à divers niveaux de liquide.

The invention also relates to the following characteristics, considered in isolation or in all their technically possible combinations:

• - The device has a flat allowing its maintenance in a stable position on a horizontal surface;
• - the flat is diametrically opposite the filling orifice;
• the device has an essentially spherical body provided with an opening and an attached assembly, said assembly covering said opening and being intended for filling and / or diffusing the liquid;
• - The body and the assembly form a practically continuous spherical exterior surface, the device thus having the general appearance of a ball;
• - The assembly is removably mounted on the body, for example in the form of a rapid mounting par.rotation or by pressure;
• - the assembly is permanently mounted on the body;
• - The assembly includes a plurality of vents distributed circumferentially in a regular manner;
• - The assembly is removable and does not include an orifice outside the diffusion vents;
• - The assembly is permanently mounted and includes at least one central de-filling orifice and vents distributed around its periphery;
• - the filling orifice has the shape of a chimney plunging inside the body;
• - the end face of the chimney, located inside the body is closed by a wall and the chimney has holes used for filling;
• - The assembly includes gripping means facilitating access to the gripping means;
• - · the spherical body is interrupted by a flat surface in the shape of a crown, concentrically surrounding its opening;
• - the body is made of a material allowing the user to see the level of liquid contained in the body during filling;
• - the body has external markings corresponding to various levels of liquid.

An essential characteristic of the present invention resides in the general spherical shape of the device. It therefore looks like a ball. Such a ball is extremely easy to handle and introduce into the drum of the washing machine. After introducing the laundry into it, simply place the ball on the laundry. During operation, the liquid detergent contained in the ball spreads gradually and regularly in the washing medium. At the end of the washing cycle, the ball is perfectly clean and free of both water and liquid detergent. There is indeed no liquid retention. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that this advantageous effect is due to the fact that during the rotation of the drum, the centrifugal force which is exerted on the moving ball, has the effect of evacuating any liquid. possibly contained in it.

The invention will be further illustrated in the description which follows, with the aid of concrete examples of embodiment. It goes without saying, however, that the invention is in no way limited to such examples of devices. Thus, the diameter and the number of vents depend solely on the viscosity of the liquid detergent.

It has been found, surprisingly, that the use of a device according to the invention provides a significant improvement in performance when washing the machine. This improvement is very clear with respect to machines having physical loss systems leading to detergent losses, as was mentioned in the aforementioned French patent. The improvement is still noticeable in many cases, vis-à-vis machines which do not include such systems of physical loss, for example a driving system or the like, this thanks to the fact that the ball placed within the linen ensures a metered and progressive distribution of the liquid in the linen, which is generally favorable for the effectiveness of washing.

• Fig. 1 est un dispositif selon l'invention vu en perspective.
• Fig. 2 est une coupe diamétrale.selon la ligne II-II de la Fig. 1
• Fig. 3 montre en perspective l'ensemble rapporté du dispositif des Fig. 1 et 2.
• Fig. 4 est une vue en perspective montrant le corps du dispositif dans le mode de réalisation des Fig. 1,2 et 3.
• Fig. 5 montre en perspective une variante de réalisation.
• Fig. 6 est une coupe diamétrale prise selon la ligne VI-VI du dispositif de la Fig. 5.
• Fig. 7 est une coupe analogue à la Fig. 6, montrant un autre mode d'exécution.
• Fig. 8 illustre en perspective une autre variante de réalisation avec le corps et l'ensemble-couvercle correspondant, ces deux parties étant montrées séparément.
• Fig. 9 est une perspective d'une autre variante encore.
• Fig. 10 montre en perspective l'ensemble-couvercle correspondant à la variante de la Fig. 9.

In the accompanying drawings: '

• Fig. 1 is a device according to the invention seen in perspective.
• Fig. 2 is a diametral section. According to line II-II of FIG. 1
• Fig. 3 shows in perspective the attached assembly of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2.
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the body of the device in the embodiment of FIGS. 1,2 and 3.
• Fig. 5 shows in perspective an alternative embodiment.
• Fig. 6 is a diametrical section taken along line VI-VI of the device of FIG. 5.
• Fig. 7 is a section similar to FIG. 6, showing another embodiment.
• Fig. 8 illustrates in perspective another alternative embodiment with the body and the corresponding cover assembly, these two parts being shown separately.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective of yet another variant.
• Fig. 10 shows in perspective the cover assembly corresponding to the variant of FIG. 9.

The device shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is designated by the general reference 10. It has an essentially spherical shape and consists of a body 11 and an attached assembly or cover 12. In this embodiment, the assembly 12 acts as a cover can be removably attached to the body 11. The device has the general appearance of a ball.

The body 11 comprises at its lower part a flat portion 13 allowing it to ^* be placed stably on a horizontal surface. In a zone diametrically opposite with respect to this flat 13, the body 11 has an orifice 14 for filling the liquid detergent. The walls delimiting the orifice 14 are provided with ramps 15 allowing easy assembly of the assembly or cover 12. In this embodiment, the assembly is of the rotational type known under the name "twist-of". say that any other rapid assembly of the cover 12 could be adopted on the body 11, for example a connection by bead and corresponding groove, to allow assembly by pressure of the cover on the body, and, conversely, a separation of these two elements by pulling the cover 12.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, it should be noted that the cover assembly 12 is removed during filling of the liquid and fulfills an essential function of diffusion of the liquid, thanks to the fact that it has vents 17. In the embodiment, the number of these vents is equal to six. To ensure regular distribution of the liquid, the vents are distributed symmetrically at the periphery of the cover 12. Furthermore, the latter comprises means capable of cooperating with the ramp 15. These means 16 appear in FIG. 2 and are known to those skilled in the art for this kind of assembly by rapid rotation.

The cover 12 is also provided with means 19 allowing easy maneuvering. These means 19 consist of a number of recesses regularly distributed at the outer periphery of the cover. Correspondingly, there are recesses 18 on the body 11 which allow even easier access to the recesses 19 of the cover 12. The user can indeed grasp the cover with the end of the fingers with one hand, whatever the position thereof relative to the device.

Also shown in the drawings of Figs. 1 and 4, markings designated by the letters A, B, and corresponding to various pre-determined liquid levels, with a view to filling the device.

The use of the device which has just been described is as follows. With the cover 12 removed, the body 11 is firstly filled with liquid detergent to the desired level. Once the filling operation is completed, the cover 12 is fixed to the body 11. Furthermore, the laundry has been placed in the drum of the washing machine. The ball 10, filled with liquid detergent, is then introduced into or onto the laundry located in the drum. Once the machine is started, the liquid contained in the ball 10 diffuses regularly and progressively through the vents 17 of the cover 12. This ensures highly satisfactory washing and cleaning of the linen.

In the variant embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 6, the device according to the invention, which is designated by the general reference 20, always has a general shape of a sphere or a ball. It consists of a body 21 and an attached assembly 22. However, unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the assembly 22 is fixed permanently to the body 21, by any suitable means, for example by gluing or welding. In this case, the assembly 22 functions both as a means of filling and of diffusion of the liquid detergent. To this end, it has on the one hand, a central opening 24 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 21 and, on the other hand, peripheral vents 27. In the example chosen, the number of vents is equal to four. The opening 24 is essentially used for filling and the vents 27 allow the gradual release of the liquid detergent during washing.

In the drawings of Figs. 5 and 6, recesses 28 and 29 have also been shown respectively on the body 21 and on the assembly 22. In fact, such an arrangement is in no way necessary, if the user does not have to handle the assembly 22.

But in another variant, it is entirely possible to provide an assembly 22, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a removable assembly, whether by rotation or by pressure, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 7, which is a section similar to FIG. 6 comprises a body 31 and an attached assembly 32. The latter is permanently fixed to the body 31. The embodiment of FIG. 7 is very similar to that of FIG. 6, except for what concerns the structure of the assembly 32. The latter has a central opening 34 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 31 and ending in an end wall 35. The assembly 32 includes orifices 36. which, in the example shown, are three in number, and which are provided in the walls of the chimney 34 which terminate at the end wall 35. The orifices 36 are used for filling the liquid detergent . Furthermore, the assembly 32 comprises, like the assembly 22 of Fig. 6, a number of vents 37 allowing the gradual release of the liquid detergent during washing. Also shown in FIG. 7 the flat 33 of the body 31, as well as the recesses 38 and 39, although the presence of such recesses is absolutely not necessary.

Fig. 8 illustrates in perspective another alternative embodiment, showing a cover assembly 42 and a body 41 allowing a removable fixing of the cover 42. The particularity of this variant lies in the shape of the body 41. In fact the latter, which is general spherical shape, is interrupted by a flat surface 48, in the shape of a crown, concentrically surrounding the opening 44. We also see in the figure the flat 43 of the body 41 as well as the means 45 which, in the example chosen, allow fastening by rapid screwing of the cover assembly 42. The latter is provided with corresponding means which do not appear in the drawing. As in the other embodiments, the device of FIG. 8 comprises on the cover assembly 42, attached to the body 41, vents 47 for dispensing the liquid detergent during washing. Recesses 49 constitute gripping means for the cover assembly 42.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, the corresponding cover assembly of which is shown in FIG. 10. The device of FIG. 9, which is designated by the general reference 50, comprises a body 51 and a cover assembly 52 to constitute a device of generally spherical shape. The body 51 is similar to the body 41 of FIG. 8, and therefore has a flat surface 58 concentrically surrounding the opening 54. In the variant illustrated in the drawings, the cover assembly 52 is permanently fixed to the body 51. This cover assembly is shown in more detail in FIG. 10 where it can be seen that it comprises, as in the embodiment illustrated for FIG. 7, a central opening 54 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 51. This chimney ends in an end wall 55. The lateral surface of the chimney 54 includes orifices 56 intended to allow filling with the liquid detergent. Furthermore, the cover assembly 52 comprises a number of vents 57 arranged regularly on the part opposite to the wall 55. Finally, the cover assembly 52 comprises recesses 59 making it possible to facilitate gripping of the whole device, which can thus be easily manipulated.

As mentioned above, a person skilled in the art can make all kinds of modifications to the embodiments described above by way of examples which are not beyond the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, and whatever the embodiment of the figures previously illustrated, the ball may be available for use after having been pre-filled with liquid detergent. This form of presentation can in particular constitute a test dose. In this case, it is necessary to provide a system for plugging the vents which are provided, in use, for dispensing the liquid detergent during washing. This closure system may consist of a sealing with a peelable film, or even by rapid tearing means which uncover the vents. A possible embodiment then consists in providing kinds of nipples respectively engaged in the vents and which can be removed at the same time or separately, with one or more pull tabs. These are different modes of presentation which, however, lead to the same type of device, which, in accordance with the invention, can be used in a machine washing and cleaning process, in which once the device has been placed in the machine drum with the laundry to be washed, the detergent contained in the device gradually diffuses into the washing medium and the laundry it contains.

Claims (18)

1. Device for washing laundry in the machine with a liquid detergent, said device comprising at least one filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the laundry during washing, said device being characterized in that it has an essentially spherical shape. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a flat allowing its maintenance in a stable position on a horizontal surface. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat is diametrically opposite to the filling orifice. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has an essentially spherical body provided with an opening and an attached assembly, said assembly covering said opening and being intended for filling and / or diffusion of the liquid. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the body and the assembly form a substantially continuous spherical outer surface, the device thus having the general appearance of a ball. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the assembly is removably mounted on the body, for example in the form of a rapid assembly by rotation or by pressure. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the assembly is permanently mounted on the body. 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the assembly comprises a plurality of vents distributed circumferentially in a regular manner. 9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the assembly is removable and does not include an orifice outside the diffusion vents. 10. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the assembly is permanently mounted and comprises at least one central filling orifice and vents distributed around its periphery. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the filling orifice has the shape of a chimney plunging inside the body. 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the end face of the chimney, located inside the body, is closed by a wall and in that the chimney has holes used for filling. 13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the assembly comprises gripping means. 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the body has recesses facilitating access to the gripping means. 15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the spherical body is interrupted by a flat surface in the form of a crown concentrically surrounding its opening. 16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the body is made of a material allowing the user to see the level of liquid contained in the body during filling. 17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the body has external markings corresponding to various levels of liquid. 18. A method of washing laundry in the machine using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in which the device is filled with liquid detergent and the device thus filled is placed in the drum of the machine. , where the laundry is already located, the liquid detergent contained in the device gradually diffusing during washing in the washing medium and in the laundry in the machine.

Images