A carrier element

Abstract

The present invention discloses a carrier element (T) suitable for use in a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises at least one body; at least one tub (B) in the body; at least one drum provided in tub (B) and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub (B); at least one inlet opening (A) located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel (C) provided on a part of the drum or tub (B) that is far from the inlet opening (A); at least one connection opening (C1) provided on the rear panel (C); at least one bellows (D) provided at the inlet opening (A); and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening (A). Said carrier element comprises at least one carrier body (1); at least one connection protrusion (2) provided on the carrier body (1) and adapted to be inserted into the connection opening (C1); at least one leg (3) provided at a part of the carrier body (1) distant from the connection opening (2), wherein at least one part of the leg (3) is adapted to be placed in a fold of said bellows (D).

Description

[0001] A CARRIER ELEMENT

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a carrier element for washing and / or drying delicate items, e.g. shoes, in drum household appliances.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] In particular, household appliances such as washing machines, drying washing machines, and dryers are used for washing and / or drying textile products. Said household appliances comprise at least one body; at least one tub in the body; at least one drum that is provided in the tub in a rotatable manner; at least one inlet opening located on the body for providing access to the drum; and at least one door suitable for closing the inlet opening. Here, the items to be washed and / or dried are placed inside the drum. Thanks to the rotational movement of the drum, the items inside the drum are mixed, increasing the effectiveness of the washing and / or drying process. Washing and / or drying household appliances using such drums are also called drum household appliances.

[0006] In drum household appliances, since the drum rotates while washing and / or drying, the items are mixed and rubbed together, which provides more effective washing and drying. Although this process provides better washing and / or drying of textile products such as laundry, it jeopardizes washing and / or drying of delicate items, such as shoes, in drum household appliances. Items like shoes contain many parts connected to each other with stitching and / or adhesives, and considering the weight of the shoe, rotating such items in the drum during washing causes said parts to separate from each other. In order to solve this problem, the known technique uses carrier elements which are positioned in the drum so as not to rotate with the drum. However, according to the applications in the known technique, said carrier elements cannot be positioned safely enough in the drum. Therefore, there is a need for a carrier element which is not affected by the vibrations occurring especially during the rotational movement of the drum. Brief Description of the Invention

[0007] The present invention discloses a carrier element suitable for use in a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises at least one body; at least one tub in the body; at least one drum provided in tub and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub; at least one inlet opening located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel provided on a part of the drum or tub that is far from the inlet opening; at least one connection opening provided on the rear panel; at least one bellows provided at the inlet opening; and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening. Said carrier element comprises at least one carrier body; at least one connection protrusion provided on the carrier body and adapted to be inserted into the connection opening; at least one leg provided at a part of the carrier body distant from the connection opening, wherein at least one part of the leg is adapted to be placed in a fold of said bellows.

[0008] In the carrier element according to the present invention, the carrier element can be securely positioned within the drum, since the connection protrusion fits into the connection opening on the rear panel and the leg fits into a fold of the bellows at one part thereof. Additionally, the placement of one part of the leg within a fold of the bellows prevents the vibrations generated during the rotation of the drum from reaching the carrier element, thereby achieving a carrier element with a more reliable structure.

[0009] Object of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier element for washing and / or drying delicate items, e.g. shoes, in drum household appliances.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a practical and reliable carrier element.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the carrier element according to the invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the carrier element according to the invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is a sectional perspective view of a position of the developed carrier element within a tub.

[0014] Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a position of the developed carrier element within a tub.

[0015] Figure 4 is a detailed view of section E given in Figure 3.

[0016] Figure 5 is a detailed view of section F given in Figure 3.

[0017] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0018] Inlet opening (A)

[0019] Tub (B)

[0020] Rear panel (C)

[0021] Connection opening (C1)

[0022] Bellows (D)

[0023] Detail (E, F)

[0024] Carrier element (T)

[0025] Carrier body (1)

[0026] Rear wall (1a)

[0027] Side wall (1b)

[0028] Connection protrusion (2)

[0029] First section (2a)

[0030] Leg (3)

[0031] Second section (3a)

[0032] Holding element (4)

[0033] Description of the Invention

[0034] Drum household appliances like washing machines, washer-dryers, and dryers are specifically used for washing and / or drying textile products. In these drum household appliances, due to the rotation of the drum during a washing and / or drying process, it is not possible to reliably wash and / or dry delicate items, e.g. as shoes, by placing them directly inside the drum. Therefore, the present invention provides a carrier element for washing and / or drying delicate items, such as shoes, in drum household appliances.

[0035] The carrier element (T) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-5, is suitable for use in a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises at least one body; at least one tub (B) in the body; at least one drum provided in tub (B) and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub (B); at least one inlet opening (A) located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel (C) provided on a part of the drum or tub (B) that is far from the inlet opening (A); at least one connection opening (C1) provided on the rear panel (C); at least one bellows (D) provided at the inlet opening (A); and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening (A), the carrier element (T) comprising at least one carrier body (1), preferably in a grid structure; at least one connection protrusion (2) provided on the carrier body (1) (e.g. at a rear part of the carrier body (1)) and adapted to be inserted into the connection opening (C1); at least one (preferably two) leg (3) provided at a part of the carrier body (1) distant from the connection opening (2) (e.g. at a front part of the carrier body (1)), wherein at least one part of the leg (3) is adapted to be placed in a fold of said bellows (D).

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said carrier element (T) is used in a drum household appliance, i.e. a washing machine. Here, the carrier element (T) is positioned inside the drum such that the connection protrusion (2) is inserted into the connection opening (C1) located on the rear panel (C), and that a part of the leg (3) is placed inside a fold of the bellows (D). In this position, the carrier element (T) remains fixed even when the drum rotates inside the tub (B). Thus, a delicate item, e.g. a shoe, placed on the carrier body (1) can be washed and / or dried reliably without being affected by the rotation of the drum. In addition, here, thanks to the positioning of a part of the leg (3) inside a fold of the bellows (D), the vibrations occurring during the rotation of the drum are damped by the flexible bellows (D). Therefore, said vibrations are prevented from reaching the carrier element (T), thereby performing the washing and / or drying process more reliably.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier element (T) comprises a plastic material (that is, made of a plastic material). Thus, the carrier element (T) is both easy to produce and has a long service life. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier element (T) comprises at least one rear wall (1a) provided on the carrier body (1), wherein said connection protrusion (2) is connected to the rear wall (1a). In this embodiment, said rear wall (1a) allows the connection protrusion (2) to be higher than the carrier body (1). Thus, for example, when the connection opening (C1) for the insertion of the connection protrusion (2) is positioned at the center of the rear panel (C), the carrier body (1) is allowed to be positioned below the center of the rear panel (C). Therefore, it is easier to place or remove an item on the carrier body (1).

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier element (T) comprises at least two side walls (1b) provided on two opposite sides of the carrier body (1) (for example, on two sides where the connection protrusion (2) and the leg (3) are not located). In this embodiment, when a washing liquid is delivered to an item on the carrier element (T), said side walls (1b) prevent the item from moving to one side of the carrier body (1) and contacting the drum due to pressure, for example. In this way, a more reliable structure of the carrier element (T) is ensured.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a first section (2a) of the connection protrusion (2) which is distant from the carrier body (1) has a curved structure. Here, said curved structure makes it difficult for the connection protrusion (2) to be disengaged from the connection opening (C1) when it is inserted thereto.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a second section (3a) of the leg (3) which is distant from the carrier body (1) has a rounded structure. Here, said rounded structure allows the leg (3) to be placed more easily within the bellows (D) fold and prevents the leg (3) from damaging the bellows (D) fold.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said leg (3) is attachable to or removable from the carrier body (1). In this embodiment, said carrier element (T) comprises a connection system for connecting the leg (3) to the carrier body (1). In an exemplary embodiment, said connection system may comprises at least one slot provided on the carrier body (1); and at least one tab provided at the leg (3). Here, by placing the tab in the slot, the leg (3) can be connected to the carrier body (1) in a detachable manner. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier element (T) comprises at least one holding element (4), which is provided as a protrusion on the carrier body (1). In this embodiment, for example, when a shoe is desired to be placed on the carrier element (T), said holding element (4) is placed inside the shoe. Thus, the shoe can be positioned on the carrier body (1) in a more reliable manner.

[0042] The present invention further discloses a household appliance comprising said carrying element (T). Said household appliance comprises at least one body; at least one tub (B) in the body; at least one drum provided in tub (B) and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub (B); at least one inlet opening (A) located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel (C) provided on a part of the drum or tub (B) that is far from the inlet opening (A); at least one connection opening (C1) provided on the rear panel (C) and suitable for receiving the connection protrusion (2); at least one bellows (D) provided at the inlet opening (A) and suitable for receiving at least one part of the leg (3); and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening (A). Here, the connection opening (C1) is preferably provided at the center of the rear panel (C). Said household appliance may be a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer.

[0043] In the carrier element (T) according to the present invention, the carrier element (T) can be securely positioned within the drum, since the connection protrusion (2) fits into the connection opening (C1) on the rear panel (C) and the leg (3) fits into a fold of the bellows (D) at one part thereof. Additionally, the placement of one part of the leg (3) within a fold of the bellows (D) prevents the vibrations generated during the rotation of the drum from reaching the carrier element (T), thereby achieving a carrier element (T) with a more reliable structure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A carrier element (T) suitable for use in a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises at least one body; at least one tub (B) in the body; at least one drum provided in tub (B) and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub (B); at least one inlet opening (A) located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel (C) provided on a part of the drum or tub (B) that is far from the inlet opening (A); at least one connection opening (C1) provided on the rear panel (C); at least one bellows (D) provided at the inlet opening (A); and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening (A), the carrier element (T) characterized by comprising: at least one carrier body (1); at least one connection protrusion (2) provided on the carrier body (1) and adapted to be inserted into the connection opening (C1); at least one leg (3) provided at a part of the carrier body (1) distant from the connection opening (2), wherein at least one part of the leg (3) is adapted to be placed in a fold of said bellows (D).

2. A carrier element (T) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the carrier body (1) is provided in a grid structure.

3. A carrier element (T) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plastic material.

4. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one rear wall (1a) provided on the carrier body (1), wherein said connection protrusion (2) is connected to the rear wall (1a).

5. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two side walls (1b) provided on two opposite sides of the carrier body (1).

6. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first section (2a) of the connection protrusion (2) which is distant from the carrier body (1) has a curved structure.

7. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second section (3a) of the leg (3) which is distant from the carrier body (1) has a rounded structure.

8. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a connection system for connecting the leg (3) to the carrier body (1).

9. A carrier element (T) according to claim 8, characterized in that said connection system comprises at least one slot provided on the carrier body (1); and at least one tab provided at the leg (3).

10. A carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one holding element (4), which is provided as a protrusion on the carrier body (1).

11. A household appliance comprising a carrier element (T) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. A household appliance according to claim 11 , characterized by comprising at least one body; at least one tub (B) in the body; at least one drum provided in tub (B) and adapted to make a rotational movement in the tub (B); at least one inlet opening (A) located on the body for providing access into the drum; at least one rear panel (C) provided on a part of the drum or tub (B) that is far from the inlet opening (A); at least one connection opening (C1) provided on the rear panel (C) and suitable for receiving the connection protrusion (2); at least one bellows (D) provided at the inlet opening (A) and suitable for receiving at least one part of the leg (3); and at least one door adapted to close the inlet opening (A).

13. A household appliance according to claim 12, characterized in that the connection opening (C1) is provided at the center of the rear panel (C).

14. A household appliance according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said household appliance is a washing machine.

15. A household appliance according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said household appliance is a washer-dryer.

16. A household appliance according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said household appliance is a dryer.

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