A tumble dryer with microplastic gripper

Abstract

The invention relates to a tumble dryer (10) having a body (20), a drum (22) provided in the body (20) and a cover (30) allowing access to the drum (22), a water tank (40) which is removably positioned on the cover (30), which allows the drying of the laundry by sending hot air into the drum (22) and where the water resulting from the condensation process is stored, and a microplastic gripper (50) provided on the water tank (40). The novelty is in that it comprises at least one filtering element (55) provided on at least one wall of said microplastic gripper (50) and at least one base (57) provided in the inclined form to direct water towards said filtering element (55).

Description

[0001] A TUMBLE DRYER WITH MICROPLASTIC GRIPPER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a tumble dryer having a microplastic gripper to enable the retention of microplastic particles in the wastewater collected after the laundry drying process.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Today, measures are taken against the damage caused by micro-sized plastics released into nature. One of the important sources of microplastic emissions is laundry. When laundry is washed or dried, they release micro-sized fibers into the ecosystem. In a recent study, 6,000,000 microfibers are observed to be released from 6 kg of laundry (DeFalco et aL, 2018). In washing and tumble dryers, microparticles are torn from the laundry due to heat and abrasion and thrown out with mains water. Microplastics that are released into the environment as waste enter the food chain or harm living things by inhalation.

[0006] The water withdrawn from the mains in the washing machines will take the detergent from the detergent box and will begin to fill the bowl where the laundry will be. After reaching a certain level, the machine stops taking water and the laundry starts washing. After the washing process is finished, the rinsing phase begins. The dirty water is discharged with the help of the pump motor and clean water is filled to a certain level in the boiler for the rinsing process. With the effect of the drain pump and the high boiler speed, the laundry completes the rinsing process. Washing machines consume an average of 50 liters of water. Tumble dryers, on the other hand, have a drum cycle and a heated air process that provides regular dehumidification. Dehumidified air condenses in the condenser area and releases moisture into the condenser channel. Regularly accumulated water is discharged by the customer or directly to the network. This amount of water is about 5 liters. As a result of this process, microplastics that break off from the laundry are sent to nature.

[0007] In the white goods sector, systems and designs that can be integrated outside the machine and inside the machine have been developed to prevent the release of microplastics from washing machines. Drying is also performed in tumble dryers by removing the moisture in the laundry. There are three different types of dryers on the market: heat pump, condenser, and chimney. The chimney-type dryers differ from other models by removing the air taken from the laundry with the help of a chimney. In condenser and heat pump models, the hot air leaving the drum leaves its moisture in the chamber inside the machine with the help of a condenser. The water collected in the tank is discharged at the end of the drying process. In the laundry drying process, microplastics are released as in washing machines, and with the return of wastewater to nature, the environment is polluted by microplastics.

[0008] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it imperative to innovate in the relevant technical field.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a tumble dryer for eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a tumble dryer in which the microplastic wastes in the water stored at the end of the tumble-drying process are effectively collected and the wastes are prevented from entering the water during the collection and discharge.

[0012] The present invention relates to a tumble dryer with a body, a drum in the body, and a cover that allows access to the drum, a water tank that allows the drying of the laundry by sending hot air into the drum and that is removably positioned on the cover where the water is stored as a result of the drying process and a microplastic gripper at the water inlet of the water tank in order to realize all the objects that will emerge from the abovementioned and the following detailed description. Accordingly, it includes at least one filtering element provided on at least one wall of said microplastic gripper and at least one base provided in a sloping form to direct water towards said filtering element. Thus, the water poured into the microplastic gripper is directed towards the filtering element and the waste materials are kept and the water is sent into the water tank.

[0013] The filtering element extends along the width of a filtration wall on which it is located in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0014] The filtering element provided on at least one of the adjacent lateral walls of the filtration wall is included in a possible embodiment of the invention. The filtering element provided on the lateral wall partially extends by the width of the lateral wall in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0015] The filtering element provided on the lateral wall is provided on the side of the lateral wall close to the filtration wall of the lateral wall in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0016] There is a separation wall extending partially towards the filtration wall on the opposite wall of the filtration wall in the interior of the microplastic gripper in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Figure 1 shows a representative frontal isometric view of the tumble dryer of the invention.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a representative rear isometric view of the tumble dryer of the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a frontal view of the water tank of the tumble dryer of the invention.

[0021] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the water tank of the tumble dryer of the invention.

[0022] Figures 5, 6, and 7 show representative views of the microplastic gripper of the tumble dryer of the invention.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In this detailed description, the tumble dryer (10) of the invention is explained only by means of examples that will not have any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject matter.

[0025] The tumble dryer (10) of the invention has a body (20). There is a drum (22) provided in the body (20). The drum (22) rotates with the drive it receives from a motor (not shown in the figure). It is possible to access the drum (22) by means of a cover (30) hinged on the body (20).

[0026] There is also a heater (23) to provide heating of the air inside the body (20) and a fan (21 ) to ensure that the heated air is directed into the drum (22). During the operation of the tumble dryer (10), the hot air dehumidifies the laundry. It is then condensed and collected in a tank (24). When the amount of water in the tank (24) exceeds a predetermined level, the water is sent to a water tank (40) through a pump (not shown).

[0027] In the tumble dryer (10) of the invention, the water tank (40) is located on the cover (30). On the other hand, the water tank (40) is removably connected to the face of the cover (30) facing the drum (22). Therefore, when water accumulates in the water tank (40), the user can easily see through the cover (30) and can empty the water tank (40) by removing it. The water tank (40) is made of a transparent material in a possible embodiment of the invention. There is also at least one handle (42) provided to allow easy holding of the water tank (40).

[0028] There is a water inlet port (41 ) on the water tank (40) to allow water to enter. The water sent from the tank (24) through the pump is poured into the water inlet port (41 ). There is a microplastic gripper (50) positioned in the water inlet port (41 ). Therefore, the water poured into the water inlet port (41 ) first enters the microplastic gripper (50). Said microplastic gripper (50) allows the microplastic particles in the water to be retained. The microplastic gripper (50) is made of plastic material in a possible embodiment of the invention. The filtering element (55) used by adhering to the gaps on the microplastic gripper (50) is a transparent color. This fabric can be made from different materials. The permeability of the filtering element (55) filters the microplastics while allowing the flow of water. This relates entirely to the number of pores and pore sizes of the filtering element (55).

[0029] The microplastic gripper (50) has an internal volume (52) into which the water to be filtered will flow. The upper side of the microplastic gripper (50) is defined as a filling spout (51 ) and there is a base (57) on the opposite side of the filling spout (51). The water coming to the filling spout (51 ) is poured towards the base (57). The microplastic gripper (50) is provided in a rectangular prism-like form in a possible embodiment. There is at least one filtering element (55) provided on at least one of the vertical walls of the microplastic gripper (50) in a possible embodiment of the invention. The filtering element (55) is made of polyester material in a possible embodiment of the invention. In this way, a high strength, easy to clean, low cost, hot and cold resistant, hydrophobic filter structure is obtained. However, polyamide material can also be used as an alternative to polyester. One of the vertical walls in which the filtering element (55) is located is defined as a filtration wall (53) in a possible embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, the base (57) is provided in a form inclined toward the filtration wall (53). In other words, there is an angle of less than 90 degrees between the filtration wall (53) and the base. Thus, it is ensured that the water filled with the internal volume (52) is directed toward the filtration wall (53). There may also be a filtering element (55) on at least one of the two lateral walls adjacent to the filtration wall (53) in a possible embodiment of the invention. Thus, the filtration speed can be increased. In a possible embodiment, the filtering element (55) extends along the width of the filtration wall (53), while the lateral walls (54) are provided in a part of the width of the lateral wall (54). In other words, the filtering elements (55) are provided on the sides of the lateral walls (54) close to the filtration wall (53). However, the parts of the lateral walls (54) that are distant from the filtration wall (53) remain closed.

[0030] There is a separation wall (56) that divides the internal volume (52) of the microplastic gripper (50) into two parts. The separation wall (56) partially extends horizontally from the vertical wall opposite the filtration wall (53) towards the filtration wall (53). In other words, there is a distance between the separation wall (56) and the filtration wall (53) to allow water to pass.

[0031] The separation wall (56) has two functions. According to the first function, during the pouring of water into the internal volume (52), the spillage of waste materials out of the filling spout (51 ) is prevented by the separation wall (56). In the said structure, it is ensured that the line that brings the water during the pouring of the water from the filling spout (51) into the microplastic gripper (50) is positioned in such a way that it does not hit the water filtration wall (53).

[0032] The other function of the separation wall (56) is to prevent the waste materials from entering the spilled water during the discharge of the water in the water tank (40). Accordingly, when the water tank (40) is turned sideways to be discharged, the waste materials are attached to the separation wall (56) and are trapped in the microplastic gripper (50). Microplastics filtered from water are prevented from being mixed with water again in this way.

[0033] Thanks to the fact that the water tank (40) is positioned on the cover (30), the user can see the amount of waste in the microplastic gripper (50) when it is separated from the cover (30) to empty the water tank or when the water tank (40) is on the cover (30). Therefore, it can be intervened when necessary to drain the microplastic gripper (50), which is a kind of filter.

[0034] The microplastic gripper (50) is removably connected to the water tank (40) in a possible embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, there is at least one fixing element (58) provided on the microplastic gripper (50). The fixing element (58) is provided in the form of a tab provided on the outer wall of the microplastic gripper. Therefore, when the user separates the water tank (40) from the cover (30) to empty it, he / she can easily empty the microplastic gripper (50) by removing it from the water tank (40). In the alternative structure, it is possible to clean the microplastic gripper (50) without leaving the water tank (40).

[0035] There are 2 different cycles in the tumble dryer (10) of the invention, one open and the other closed. In the closed loop; the air inside the body (20) is first heated by passing through the heater (23) with the help of the fan (21) and then sent to the drum (22) where the laundry is located. The fan (21) receives its force from the motor that also moves the drum (22). The heated air takes up some of the moisture on the laundry as it passes through the drum (22). Hot and humid air is passed through a filter to hold the pieces of fiber that break off from the laundry and the air is directed into the condenser through the diverter channel. In the second cycle, the ambient air taken from the outside of the body (20) is directed to the condenser fins. Hot and humid air from the closed loop and ambient air taken from outside are crossflowed through the condenser. Heat transfer is performed through fins integrated with condenser channels. The temperature of the closed loop airdrops and some of the moisture condenses in the condenser channels to become liquid. The condensing water accumulates up to a predetermined amount in the tank (24) in the body (20). The pump starts when the fluid level exceeds the predetermined level. With the help of a pump, water is transported to the water tank (40) provided on the cover (30). The water passing through the microplastic gripper placed in the water inlet port (41) of the water tank (40) begins to fill the water tank (40). Thanks to the visibility of the water tank (40) and the microplastic gripper (50) on the cover (30), the user can empty the water tank (40) and thus the microplastic gripper (50) by separating from the cover (30) when he wants to empty any of them.

[0036] The microplastics can be easily collected in the tumble dryer (10) of the invention and the need can be easily detected by the user without the need for an additional sensor. On the other hand, since the microplastic gripper (50) is at the water inlet port (41) of the water tank (40) and in the area where the water is poured by gravity, no additional power is required to hold the particles.

[0037] On the other hand, thanks to the printed embodiments of the microplastic gripper (50) in the tumble dryer (10) of the invention, it is ensured that the waste materials are kept effectively. At the same time, an embodiment is introduced in which waste materials are prevented from leaving the microplastic gripper (50) during the introduction of water into the water tank (40) and the discharge of the water tank (40). The protection scope of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be strictly limited to those explained in this detailed description for illustrative purposes. It is evident that a person skilled in the art may exhibit similar embodiments in light of the foregoing without departing from the main theme of the invention.

[0038] REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURES

[0039] 10 Tumble dryer

[0040] 20 Body

[0041] 21 Fan

[0042] 22 Drum

[0043] 23 Heater

[0044] 24 Tank

[0045] 30 Cover

[0046] 40 Water tank

[0047] 41 Water inlet port

[0048] 42 Handle

[0049] 50 Microplastic gripper

[0050] 51 Filling spout

[0051] 52 Internal volume

[0052] 53 Filtration wall

[0053] 54 Lateral wall

[0054] 55 Filtering element

[0055] 56 Separation wall

[0056] 57 Base

[0057] 58 Fixing element

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tumble dryer (10) having a body (20), a drum (22) provided in the said body (20) and a cover (30) allowing access to the drum (22), a water tank (40) which is removably positioned on the cover (30), which allows the drying of the laundry by sending hot air into the drum (22) and where the water resulting from the condensation process is stored, and a microplastic gripper (50) provided on the water tank (40), characterized in that it comprises at least one filtering element (55) provided on at least one wall of said microplastic gripper (50) and at least one base (57) provided in inclined form to direct the water towards said filtering element (55).

2. A tumble dryer (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the filtering element (55) extends along the width of a filtration wall (53) on which it is positioned.

3. A tumble dryer (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a filtering element (55) provided on at least one of the neighboring lateral walls (54) of the filtration wall (53).

4. A tumble dryer (10) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the filtering element (55) provided on the lateral wall (54) partially extends by the width of the lateral wall(54).

5. A tumble dryer (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the filtering element(55) provided on the lateral wall (54) is provided on the side of the lateral wall (54) close to the filtration wall (53).

6. A tumble dryer (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a separation wall (56) extending partially towards the filtration wall (53) on the opposite wall of the filtration wall (53) in the interior of the microplastic gripper (50).

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