Press module and clothing treatment apparatus comprising press module

Abstract

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a press module and a clothing treatment apparatus comprising same, the press module comprising: a base part on which a garment is supported; a cover part provided on the base part so as to be rotatable vertically and pressing the garment; a fixing part provided on the cover part and fixing one side of the garment; and a support part coupled to any one of the base part and the cover part so as to be rotatable horizontally and supporting the garment fixed to the fixing part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the press module. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a press module that presses laundry to emphasize preset creases on the laundry or to remove wrinkles from the laundry. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus that includes the press module, and at the same time, supplies one or more of air and steam to the laundry to perform one or more of deodorization, wrinkle removal, and sterilization of the laundry.[Background]

[0002] A laundry treating apparatus refers to an apparatus for washing and drying laundry at home or in a workplace or for removing wrinkles from the laundry. In particular, the laundry treating apparatus may be understood as a concept including a washing machine for removing contaminants from the laundry and a dryer for removing moisture from the laundry containing moisture.

[0003] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus may be understood as a concept including a laundry manager that refreshes the laundry by supplying steam or hot air to the laundry and a steamer that removes the wrinkles from the laundry.

[0004] The steamer is an apparatus that supplies steam to the laundry to remove the unnecessary wrinkles on the laundry. Unlike a typical iron that allows a heated pressing plate or the like to be in direct contact with the laundry, the steamer may remove the wrinkles by applying heat to the laundry through convection.

[0005] On the other hand, the laundry manager may refer to an apparatus capable of refreshing fibers of the laundry. The laundry manager may remove dust attached to the laundry, deodorize the laundry, dry the laundry, or apply fragrance to the laundry.

[0006] In addition, generation of static electricity may be prevented by refreshing the fibers of the laundry. In addition, heated moisture may be supplied to the laundry, and heated air may be applied thereto, thereby removing the wrinkles from the laundry and sterilizing the laundry.

[0007] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2021-0136295 discloses an existing laundry treating apparatus. FIG. 1 illustrates an existing laundry treating apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, components of the existing laundry treating apparatus discloses for supplying hot air and steam to a room are disclosed.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, an existing laundry treating apparatus 11 includes a cabinet 12 having an inlet 13 defined in one surface thereof, a first chamber 14 positioned inside the cabinet 12 to receive the laundry therein through the inlet 13, a second chamber 15 positioned under the first chamber 14 to define a space separated from the first chamber 14, a steam unit (not illustrated) disposed inside the second chamber 15 to generate steam and supply the steam to the first chamber 14, and a door 17 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 12 to open and close the inlet 13.

[0009] The existing laundry treating apparatus 11 may supply steam to the laundry received in the first chamber 14 using the steam unit. That is, the laundry received in the first chamber 14 may be subjected to the refreshment such as the wrinkle removal and the sterilization.

[0010] In one example, in the existing laundry treating apparatus, pressors M1 and M2 disposed on a door inner surface 22 directed to face the first chamber 14 among surfaces of the door 17 are disclosed.

[0011] Referring to (a) in FIG. 1, the presser M1 of the existing laundry treating apparatus includes a support plate 18 coupled to the door inner surface 22 to support the laundry and a pivotable plate 19 pivotable toward the support plate 18 to press the laundry.

[0012] The pivotable plate 19 pivots about a pivoting axis in parallel with a height direction of the cabinet 12. That is, in the existing presser M1, the pivotable plate 19 pivots about an axis formed in parallel with a hanging direction of the laundry and presses the laundry.

[0013] Accordingly, one of left and right side surfaces of the laundry is first pressed, and the other is later pressed. In this regard, there is a problem that a position of the laundry is changed as one side surface of the laundry is first pressed. As the laundry is pressed in a state in which the position of the laundry has been changed, there is a problem in that double wrinkles occur on the laundry.

[0014] In order to solve the above-described problem, a presser in which a pivotable plate pivots about a pivoting axis in parallel with a width direction of the door 17 has been invented. The presser M2 illustrated in (b) in FIG. 1 has been developed to solve the problem of the existing presser described above.

[0015] Referring to (b) in FIG. 1, a second pressing plate 24 for pressing the laundry pivots about the pivoting axis in parallel with the width direction of the door 17. In this regard, the hanging direction of the laundry or a direction of the gravity acting on the laundry and a direction in which the second pressing plate 24 sequentially comes into contact with portions of the laundry coincide with each other as an up-down direction. Accordingly, the occurrence of the unnecessary wrinkles on the laundry may be prevented.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an operation process of the presser M2 in the laundry treating apparatus according to (b) in FIG. 1 in more detail. Referring to FIG. 2, the presser M2 includes a base plate 21 coupled to the door inner surface 22, a first shaft 25 disposed in parallel with the height direction of the door 17, a second shaft 26 disposed perpendicular to the height direction of the door, a first pressing plate 23 that is pivotably coupled to the door inner surface 22 or the base plate 21 through the first shaft 25 to face the base plate 21, and places thereon and presses pants, and a second pressing plate 24 that is pivotably coupled to the door inner surface 22 or the base plate 21 through the second shaft 26 to face the first pressing plate 23, and presses the pants.

[0017] A description will be made with reference to FIG. 2. The presser M2 of the laundry treating apparatus pivots and opens the second pressing plate 24 upwards, and then pivots and opens the first pressing plate 23 about the first shaft 25. The first pressing plate 23 includes a first clip 27 that fixes the laundry. One side of the laundry is fixed to the first clip 27, and an opposite side of the laundry is fixed to a second clip 28 disposed on a side opposite to a surface where the first clip 27 is located. A central side of the laundry is placed on a mounting edge 29 disposed at the first pressing plate 23.

[0018] In a state in which the laundry is placed on the first pressing plate 23, the first pressing plate 23 is pivoted toward the base plate 21 to allow the first pressing plate 23 to be in a closed state. Thereafter, the second pressing plate 24 may be pivoted downwards to press the laundry.

[0019] When using the presser M2 of the laundry treating apparatus, the laundry has to be fixed to each of the first clip 27 and the second clip 28 in the state in which the central side of the laundry is supported on the mounting edge 29. In this regard, positions of both ends of the laundry have to be adjusted in the state in which the central side of the laundry is placed on the mounting edge 29. In this process, there is a high possibility that the position of the laundry may be changed based on the mounting edge 29.

[0020] In addition, when the laundry is placed on the mounting edge 29, a tensile force applied to the laundry may be reduced compared to a state in which the laundry is fully unfolded. That is, the laundry may be fixed in a state in which the tensile force applied thereto is relatively low. Therefore, the tensile force applied to the laundry may be reduced even in a pressing process.

[0021] In addition, a pivoting direction of the first pressing plate 23 is a horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the laundry is placed, a load direction of the laundry is the vertical direction. That is, a coupling direction of the first pressing plate 23 and the direction of the load applied to the laundry do not coincide with each other.

[0022] In addition, when the laundry is fixed to the first pressing plate 23, the laundry may be pulled downwards while the laundry is placed on the mounting edge 29 in order to apply the maximum tensile force to the laundry. In this regard, an external force applied to the laundry may be transmitted to the entire first pressing plate 23 through the mounting edge 29. The external force transmitted to the first pressing plate 23 may be transmitted to the first shaft 25.

[0023] The load of the laundry placed on the first pressing plate 23 and the external force in the direction of gravity applied to the laundry may act as torque with respect to the first shaft 25 in proportion to a distance thereof from the first shaft 25. That is, in the process of placing the laundry on the first pressing plate 23, the torque may be applied to a connection portion of the first pressing plate 23, such as the first shaft 25. That is, as the torque is applied to the connection portion, the first pressing plate 23 may be exposed to a risk of damage.

[0024] As a result, the existing presser, which has been developed to solve the problem of the occurrence of the double wrinkles on the laundry, has problems in that it is difficult to fix the laundry in the state in which the maximum tensile force is applied to the laundry and it is difficult to align the laundry in the process of fixing the laundry.

[0025] In addition, because the presser fixes the laundry onto the first pressing plate 23, there is a problem in that an excessive load is applied to the first pressing plate 23 and thus the first pressing plate 23 is exposed to the risk of damage in the process of fixing the laundry and in a state in which the laundry is fixed.[Summary][Technical Problem]

[0026] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of effectively treating laundry.

[0027] The present disclosure is intended to provide a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same capable of effectively pressing laundry to remove wrinkles from the laundry.

[0028] The present disclosure is intended to provide a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same capable of fixing laundry in a state in which a tensile force is being applied to the laundry by a self-weight of the laundry, and pressing the laundry in a state in which the laundry is folded.

[0029] The present disclosure is intended to provide a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same capable of preventing a component supporting laundry from being damaged during a process of fixing the laundry and by a load applied while the laundry is fixed.

[0030] The present disclosure is intended to provide a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same capable of preventing a position of laundry from being changed in a process of pressing the laundry as a component that presses the laundry pivots about a pivoting axis in parallel with the ground.

[0031] The present disclosure is intended to provide a press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same capable of fixing laundry in an unfolded state when fixing the laundry before pressing.[Technical Solutions]

[0032] In order to solve the above-described problems, a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a base where laundry is supported; a cover that is pivotable in an up-down direction with respect to the base and presses the laundry; a fixing member that is disposed on the cover and fixes one side of the laundry; and a support that is coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable in a left-right direction and supports the laundry fixed to the fixing member.

[0033] One side of the cover may be pivotably coupled to the base, and the fixing member may be located on a side away from the one side of the cover.

[0034] The cover may include: a cover body that is pivotably coupled to the base and presses the laundry; and a cover communication hole extending through the cover body, wherein the fixing member is located on the side away from the one side of the cover with respect to the cover communication hole.

[0035] The press module may further include a tensile force applier that is disposed at a lower portion of the base and fixes the laundry, and the tensile force applier may fix an opposite side of the laundry with the one side fixed to the fixing member.

[0036] When the cover is disposed to face the base, the fixing member and the tensile force applier may be disposed between the cover and the base.

[0037] The tensile force applier may include a first clip disposed at a left side of the base and a second clip disposed at a right side of the base and spaced apart from the first clip, and when the cover is disposed to face the base, at least a portion of the fixing member may be disposed between the first clip and the second clip.

[0038] One side of the cover may be pivotably coupled to the base, the cover may include a cover recessed portion where one surface thereof facing the tensile force applier when the cover is disposed to face the base is recessed, and the fixing member may be positioned closer to the one side of the cover than to the cover recessed portion.

[0039] A position of the fixing member may be changeable along a height direction of the cover.

[0040] The support may be coupled to the cover so as to be pivotable in the left-right direction.

[0041] The support may include: a first support plate pivotably coupled to one side of the cover in a width direction, and positioned between the cover and the base when the cover is disposed to face the base; and a second support plate pivotably coupled to an opposite side of the cover in the width direction, and positioned between the cover and the base when the cover is disposed to face the base.

[0042] Each of the first support plate and the second support plate may include: a pressing plate pivotably coupled to the cover; and an extension plate extending from the pressing plate and providing a reference surface where the laundry fixed to the fixing member is folded when the cover is disposed to face the base.

[0043] The pressing plate and the extension plate may form one surface facing the cover when disposed to face the cover.

[0044] When the first support plate and the second support plate are disposed to face the cover, the respective extension plates thereof may be disposed to overlap the fixing member in a height direction of the cover.

[0045] Each of the first support plate and the second support plate may further include an extension plate groove defined in the extension plate to be recessed in a direction away from the cover.

[0046] The support may include a support surface located at one side of the cover where the cover is pivotably coupled and having a predetermined curvature.

[0047] A thickness of one side of the support where the support surface is disposed may be greater than a thickness of an opposite side thereof based on a height direction of the support.

[0048] The press module may further include a support coupling portion that couples the support to the cover when the support is disposed to face the cover.

[0049] The support coupling portion may couple the support to the cover using magnetism.

[0050] The base may include: a base plate that supports the laundry; and a base body providing a space where the base plate is installed.

[0051] The base plate may include: a base fixing portion fixed to the base body; and base extensions extending left and right from the base fixing portion, respectively, and spaced apart from the base body.

[0052] The base may include a base elastic portion that is disposed between the base body and the base extension and applies an elastic force to the base extension.

[0053] The press module may further include a cover coupling portion that couples the cover to the base when the cover is disposed to face the base.

[0054] The cover coupling portion may couple the cover to the base using magnetism.

[0055] In order to solve the above-described problems, a press module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a base where laundry is supported; a cover that is pivotable with respect to the base about a cover pivoting axis directed in parallel with a width direction of the base and presses the laundry; a fixing member that is disposed on the cover and fixes one side of the laundry; and a support that is coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable and pivots about a support pivoting axis directed in parallel with a height direction of one of the base and the cover.

[0056] The cover pivoting axis may be defined at a top of the base.

[0057] Extension lines of the cover pivoting axis and the support pivoting axis may cross each other.

[0058] The fixing member may be positioned at a side of the cover away from the cover pivoting axis.

[0059] The press module may further include a tensile force applier that is disposed on the base and fixes an opposite side of the laundry with the one side fixed to the fixing member, and the tensile force applier may be located on a side away from the cover pivoting axis.

[0060] In order to solve the above-described problems, a press module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a base where laundry is supported; a cover that is disposed on the base so as to be pivotable in an up-down direction and presses the laundry; a fixing member that is disposed on one surface of the cover and fixes one side of the laundry; and a support coupled to the cover so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis in parallel with a height direction of the cover, wherein the support provides a support surface where the laundry fixed to the fixing member is supported and folded when the cover pivots to be close to the base.

[0061] When the support is disposed to face the cover, the support surface may be disposed in parallel with a width direction of the base.

[0062] The support may include: a support cover surface facing the cover when the cover is disposed to face the base; and a support base surface facing the base when the cover is disposed to face the base, and when the cover is disposed to face the base, the support cover surface and the support base surface press the laundry.

[0063] In order to solve the above-described problems, a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a cabinet; an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet, providing a laundry treatment space where laundry is received, and having a laundry inlet defined at a front side thereof to allow the laundry to enter and exit therethrough; a machine room that is defined to be in communication with the inner casing and supplies at least one of moisture and air to the laundry treatment space; a door that is pivotably coupled to the cabinet and opens and closes the laundry inlet; and a press module that is disposed on at least one of an inner wall of the inner casing and an inner surface of the door and presses the laundry, wherein the press module includes: a base that is disposed on the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door and supports the laundry; a cover that is pivotable in an up-down direction with respect to the base and presses the laundry; a fixing member that is disposed on the cover and fixes one side of the laundry; and a support that is coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable in a left-right direction and supports the laundry fixed to the fixing member.

[0064] The base may include: a base body detachably coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door; and a base plate that is disposed on the base body and supports the laundry.

[0065] The laundry treating apparatus may further include: a base coupling protrusion formed to protrude from one of the inner surface of the door and the base body; and a base coupling recess recessed from the other one of the inner surface of the door and the base body.

[0066] The base may include: a body hole defined in the base body and coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door; and a body shielding portion preventing the body hole from being exposed to the outside while the base body is coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door.[Advantageous Effects]

[0067] The present disclosure may effectively treat the laundry.

[0068] The present disclosure may increase the efficiency of removing the wrinkles by pressing the laundry.

[0069] The present disclosure may fix the laundry in the state in which the tensile force is being applied to the laundry by the self-weight of the laundry, and press the laundry in the folded state.

[0070] The present disclosure may prevent the component supporting the laundry from being damaged during the process of fixing the laundry and by the load applied while the laundry is fixed.

[0071] The present disclosure may prevent the position of the laundry from being changed in the process of pressing the laundry as the component that presses the laundry pivots about the pivoting axis in parallel with the ground.

[0072] The present disclosure may fix the laundry in the unfolded state when fixing the laundry before the pressing.

[0073] The present disclosure may fix the laundry in the unfolded state when fixing the laundry before the pressing, and press the laundry in the folded state when pressing the laundry.[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0074] FIG. 1 illustrates an existing press module and a laundry treating apparatus including the same. FIG. 2 sequentially illustrates an operation process of an existing press module. FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 sequentially illustrates an operation process of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a support coupling portion of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a cover coupling portion of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a detachable structure of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates a coupling structure of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates a structure of a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a central side when a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an outer side when a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a vicinity of a support surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 illustrates a cover hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 illustrates a support hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 illustrates an inner side and a cross-section of a support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Best Mode]

[0075] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present document, same or similar components will be assigned with same or similar reference numerals even in different embodiments, and a description thereof will be substituted by a first description. A singular expression used herein includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that a detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for making it easy to understand the embodiments disclosed herein, and a technical idea disclosed herein should not be interpreted as being limited by the accompanying drawings.

[0076] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance of the apparatus and a door 400 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100. The door 400 may form the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1 together with the cabinet 100.

[0078] A side of the cabinet 100 opened and closed by the door 400 may be defined as a front side of the laundry treating apparatus 1. In other words, the door 400 may be coupled to the cabinet 100 to form a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0079] Referring to (b) and (c) in FIG. 3, an inner casing 200 may be defined inside the cabinet 100. The inner casing 200 may have a laundry treatment space in which laundry is received therein. The inner casing 200 may include a laundry inlet 210 through which the laundry enters and exits. The laundry inlet 210 may be opened and closed by the door 400.

[0080] That is, when the laundry is put into the laundry treating apparatus 1, a user may pivot the door 400 to open the laundry inlet 210. Next, the user may put the laundry into the laundry treatment space through the laundry inlet 210 and then pivot the door 400 to close the laundry inlet 210.

[0081] The inner casing 200 may be made of a plastic resin-based material, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin-based material that is not deformed by air having a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, hot air) and steam or moisture.

[0082] The inner casing 200 may have a height greater than a width thereof. Accordingly, the laundry received inside the inner casing 200 may be maintained in an unfolded state without being folded or crumpled.

[0083] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a hanger capable of hanging the laundry in the laundry treatment space of the inner casing 200. The hanger may be formed in a bar shape such that a ring of a clothes hanger may be hung thereon. The hanger may extend in a left-right direction or a front-rear direction of the inner casing 200. When the laundry is hung on the hanger, the laundry may be disposed in a state of floating in air inside the inner casing 200.

[0084] The laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a vibrator that vibrates the hanger to remove foreign substances such as fine dust attached to the laundry.

[0085] In one example, a machine room 300 that supplies at least one of moisture and air to the laundry may be defined inside the cabinet 100. The machine room 300 may be in communication with the inner casing 200. That is, the machine room 300 may be in communication with an inner space of the inner casing 200. One side of the inner casing 200 may have a through-hole so as to be in communication with the machine room 300.

[0086] A heat pump apparatus for supplying hot air may be installed inside the machine room 300. In addition, a steam generator for generating steam may be installed inside the machine room 300. The heat pump apparatus may be composed of a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor, and an expansion valve and generate hot air through circulation of a refrigerant. The heat pump apparatus may be variously applied within a range obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0087] The machine room 300 may be disposed downwardly of the inner casing 200. Hot air or steam generated in the machine room 300 may have a characteristic of rising because of a lower density than air inside the inner casing 200. Therefore, when the machine room 300 is disposed under the inner casing 200, hot air or steam may be more effectively supplied to the laundry located in the laundry treatment space of the inner casing 200.

[0088] Referring to (b) and (c) in FIG. 3, a press module P is illustrated. The press module P may press the laundry to remove the unnecessary wrinkles of the laundry, or may emphasize preset creases on the laundry. The press module P may be installed on the door 400. In particular, the press module P may be installed on a door inner surface 410. The door inner surface 410 may refer to one surface of the door 400 facing the laundry treatment space in a state in which the door 400 closes the laundry inlet 210. That is, the door inner surface 410 may define the laundry treatment space together with the inner casing 200.

[0089] However, the press module P may be installed on an inner wall of the inner casing 200 as well as on the door inner surface 410. That is, the press module P may be disposed inside the laundry treatment space. When the press module P is installed on the door inner surface 410 or on the inner wall of the inner casing 200, hot air or steam supplied from the machine room 300 may also be supplied to the press module P. That is, as hot air or steam is supplied to the laundry to be treated by the press module P, a treatment effect may be improved.

[0090] In FIG. 3, the press module P is illustrated as one component included in the laundry treating apparatus 1. However, unlike the drawing of FIG. 3, the press module P itself may constitute an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, in the present document, a description of the press module P may be understood as descriptions of not only the press module P as the component of the laundry treating apparatus 1, but also the press module P itself.

[0091] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 4, the press module P according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be coupled to the door inner surface or the inner wall of the inner casing as illustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, the press module P may be positioned by being supported on a wall surface as a single apparatus as well as on the door and the inner casing.

[0093] The press module P may include a base 500 on which the laundry is supported. An object supported by the base 500 may be a surface of the laundry. In addition, the base 500 may be in contact with one surface of the laundry. In an embodiment, the laundry may be a pair of pants. The base 500 may support the one surface of the laundry and simultaneously apply a compressive force to the laundry under a specific condition. The specific condition under which the base 500 presses the laundry will be described later.

[0094] In addition, the press module P may include a cover 600 that is pivotable relative to the base 500 in the up-down direction. The cover 600 may press the laundry. That is, when the cover 600 pivots in a direction closer to the base 500, the cover 600 may press the laundry. In addition, when the cover 600 rotates in a direction away from the base 500, the cover 600 may not press the laundry.

[0095] The cover 600 may pivot relative to the base 500 about a cover pivoting axis 660 directed in parallel with a width direction of the base 500. The width direction of the base 500 may coincide with the width direction of the door 400. In addition, the width direction of the base 500 may mean the left-right direction when the base 500 is viewed from the front. The cover pivoting axis 660 may mean a direction in parallel with the ground.

[0096] The cover pivoting axis 660 may be disposed on top of the base 500. In an embodiment, the cover 600 and the base 500 may be in a form in which upper sides thereof are hinge-coupled with each other and lower sides thereof are open.

[0097] When the cover 600 pivots in the up-down direction and the cover pivoting axis 660 is disposed on top of the base 500 at the same time, when the laundry is pressed, a self-weight of the cover 600 may act on the laundry. Therefore, a pressing effect on the laundry may be improved.

[0098] That is, the cover 600 may pivot in the up-down direction relative to the base 500. The cover 600 may be pivotably coupled to an upper side of the base 500. In addition, the cover 600 may be pivotably coupled to a lower side of the base 500.

[0099] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the cover 600 is pivotably coupled to the upper side of the base 500. In addition, a state in which the cover 600 has pivoted in a direction away from the base 500 is illustrated in the drawing. That is, the state as illustrated in FIG. 4 may be defined as a state in which the cover 600 is opened.

[0100] In addition, the press module P may include a fixing member 800 disposed on the cover 600 and fixing one side of the laundry. The fixing member 800 may be formed in various shapes including a tongs or a clip shape to fix the one side of the laundry. The laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 may be unfolded along the cover 600 and the base 500.

[0101] In addition, the press module P may include a support 700, 700a, and 700b coupled to one of the base 500 and the cover 600 so as to be pivotable in the left-right direction. The support 700 may support the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800.

[0102] The support 700 may pivot about a support pivoting axis 770 directed in parallel with a height direction of one of the base 500 and the cover 600.

[0103] A description of the support pivoting axis 770 may be applied to each of a first support pivoting axis 770a serving as a pivoting center of a first support plate 700a and a second support pivoting axis 770b serving as a pivoting center of a second support plate 700b.

[0104] Extension lines of the cover pivoting axis 660 and the support pivoting axis 770 may cross each other. That is, the cover pivoting axis 660 may extend in the width direction of the cover 600, and the support pivoting axis 770 may extend in the height direction of the cover 600. Therefore, the cover pivoting axis 660 and the support pivoting axis 770 may not be arranged side by side.

[0105] In addition, the support 700 may provide a support surface 701 on which the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 is supported and folded when the cover 600 pivots to be closer to the base 500.

[0106] That is, when the cover 600 pivots toward the base 500, the support 700 may fold the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 in the up-down direction. In other words, in the press module P, when the laundry is first placed, the laundry may be placed in an unfolded state, but when the laundry is pressed, the laundry may be maintained in a folded state.

[0107] In one example, the press module P may include a tensile force applier 900, 900a, and 900b disposed at the lower portion of the base 500 and fixing the laundry. The tensile force applier 900 may fix an opposite side of the laundry, one side of which is fixed to the fixing member 800.

[0108] That is, the laundry placed on the press module P may be placed in such a manner that the one side thereof is fixed to the fixing member 800 and the opposite side thereof is fixed to the tensile force applier 900.

[0109] The tensile force applier 900 may include a first clip 900a and a second clip 900b disposed at both sides of the base 500 in the width direction, respectively. The first clip 900a and the second clip 900b may be formed in a '' shape. The opposite side of the laundry may be fixed by being fitted between the tensile force applier 900 and the base 500.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 4, in a state in which the cover 600 is opened, the fixing member 800 and the tensile force applier 900 may be positioned on sides away from each other. When one side of the laundry is fixed to the fixing member 800 and the opposite side of the laundry is fixed to the tensile force applier 900 in the state in which the cover 600 is opened, the laundry may be maintained in a tightly unfolded state. That is, because a tensile force is applied to the laundry, the unnecessary wrinkles may be prevented from occurring on the laundry.

[0111] The tensile force applier 900 may be coupled to the base 500, but may be located on a side away from the cover pivoting axis 660. That is, the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed to be maximally spaced apart from the cover pivoting axis 660. Accordingly, the tensile force applier 900 may fix the laundry in the longest state. Therefore, the tensile force applier 900 may apply the tensile force to the laundry across the widest possible range.

[0112] FIG. 5 is a diagram sequentially illustrating an operation process of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] In (a) to (h) in FIG. 5, the process of pressing the laundry using the press module P is expressed in a chronological order.

[0114] Referring to (a) in FIG. 5, the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500. That is, the cover 600 is disposed to be in the closed state. When the press module P is not used, the state as illustrated in (a) in FIG. 5 may be maintained.

[0115] In order to use the press module P, as illustrated in (b) in FIG. 5, the cover 600 may be pivoted in a direction away from the base 500. That is, the cover 600 may be positioned to be in the open state. When the cover 600 is opened, the base 500 may be exposed. In addition, when the cover 600 is opened, the support 700 coupled to the cover 600 may also be exposed. In addition, when the cover 600 is opened, the tensile force applier 900 disposed at the lower portion of the base 500 may also be exposed.

[0116] In the open state of the cover 600, the first support plate 700a may be disposed at a left side of the cover 600, and the second support plate 700b may be disposed at a right side thereof.

[0117] In the state illustrated in (b) in FIG. 5, the support 700 may be positioned to be in a state facing the cover 600. It may be understood that the support 700 is in a closed state in the state illustrated in (b) in FIG. 5.

[0118] Next, the support 700 may be pivoted in a direction away from the cover 600 in order to place the laundry on the press module P. That is, the support 700 facing the cover 600 may be opened.

[0119] The support 700 may be opened up to an angle perpendicular to the cover 600. In addition, the support 700 may pivot beyond being perpendicular to the cover 600 up to an obtuse angle. As illustrated in (c) in FIG. 5, in the state in which the support 700 has pivoted and is opened, the user may place the laundry on the press module P.

[0120] Referring to (d) in FIG. 5, a state in which laundry C is placed on the press module P is illustrated. One end of the laundry C may be fixed to the fixing member 800. In an embodiment, the one end of the laundry C may be a lower end of pants. In the drawing, an example in which the laundry C is a pair of pants is illustrated. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and various types of laundry may be placed.

[0121] When the laundry C is the pair of pants, the lower end of the pants may be fixed to the fixing member 800. When the lower end of the pants is fixed to the fixing member 800, a waist side of the pants may be located at a lower side. Because the waist side of the pants is relatively heavy, the laundry C may be unfolded downwards by a self-weight. That is, when the fixing member 800 fixes one side of the laundry C, there is an effect of applying the tensile force to the laundry using the self-weight of the laundry.

[0122] In addition, referring to (e) in FIG. 5, an opposite end of the laundry C may be fixed to the tensile force applier 900a and 900b. That is, the one end of the laundry C may be fixed to the fixing member 800, and the opposite end of the laundry C may be fixed to the tensile force applier 900a and 900b.

[0123] More specifically, when the laundry C is the pair of pants, the lower end of the pants may be fixed to the fixing member 800, and the waist side of the pants or a hip side of the pants may be fixed to the tensile force applier 900a and 900b.

[0124] When both sides of the laundry C are firmly fixed, the position change of the laundry in the process of pressing the laundry may be prevented. By preventing the position of the laundry from being changed, the occurrence of the unnecessary wrinkles on the laundry may be prevented.

[0125] The user may fix the laundry C to the tensile force applier 900a and 900b by inserting the opposite end of the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 between the tensile force applier 900a and 900b and the base 500. The tensile force applier 900 may be made of a material capable of elastic deformation to fix the laundry.

[0126] (f) in FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the support 700 has pivoted toward the cover 600 after fixing the laundry to the fixing member 800 and the tensile force applier 900. That is, after the laundry C is fixed, the support 700 is positioned to be in the closed state. A portion of the laundry C may be disposed between the cover 600 and the support 700.

[0127] In this regard, a lower end of the support 700 may maintain a state not in contact with the laundry. However, when the cover 600 pivots and moves to be in the closed state, the laundry C may come into contact with and remain in contact with the lower end of the support 700. Specifically, a process of folding the laundry C may be checked in (g) in FIG. 5.

[0128] Referring to (g) in FIG. 5, a process in which the cover 600 pivots toward the base 500 in the state in which the support 700 is closed is illustrated. As the cover 600 pivots, the placed laundry C may be folded with respect to a direction in parallel with the cover pivoting axis 660.

[0129] When the cover 600 pivots, the laundry C may be folded in the width direction while being in contact with the lower end of the support 700.

[0130] Referring to (h) in FIG. 5, when the cover 600 has pivoted to be in the state of facing the base 500, the laundry C may be pressed in a state of being folded in half.

[0131] That is, when the cover 600 pivots to be in a state in parallel with the base 500, the laundry C may be pressed in the state of being folded in half. In particular, a portion of the laundry C close to the fixing member 800 with respect to a folded portion may be disposed between the cover 600 and the support 700. That is, the portion of the laundry C close to the fixing member 800 may be pressed by the cover 600 and the support 700.

[0132] Conversely, when the cover 600 pivots to be in the state in parallel with the base 500, the laundry C may be pressed in the state of being folded in half. In particular, a portion of the laundry C located away from the fixing member 800 with respect to the folded portion may be disposed between the base 500 and the support 700. That is, a portion of the laundry C close to the tensile force applier 900 may be pressed by the base 500 and the support 700.

[0133] As described above, the laundry C may be pressed in the state of being folded in half with respect to a direction in parallel with an axis about which the cover 600 pivots. In addition, the portion close to the fixing member 800 and the portion away from the fixing member 800 with respect to the folded portion may be pressed by different components.

[0134] In conclusion, when the laundry is pressed, an area occupied by the entire press module P is only half the length of the laundry C, and thus, a space may be more efficiently utilized.

[0135] In addition, because the laundry C is pressed in the state of being folded in half, a pressing force applied to the laundry may be more effectively transmitted to the laundry. Accordingly, an effect of removing the unnecessary wrinkles from the laundry C or emphasizing the preset creases on the laundry C may be further emphasized.

[0136] In one example, the cover 600 may include a cover communication hole 620 extending through the cover 600. Even when the cover 600 is in the closed state, a portion of the laundry C may be exposed to the outside by the cover communication hole 620.

[0137] Therefore, when the press module P is equipped as a component of the laundry treating apparatus, hot air or steam supplied to the laundry treatment space may be introduced into the press module P through the cover communication hole 620. Accordingly, hot air or steam may be supplied to the laundry, and the pressing effect of the press module P may be further improved.

[0138] In one example, when the cover 600 is in the closed state, the fixing member 800 and the tensile force applier 900 may be prevented from being exposed to the outside by the cover 600. That is, the cover 600 may extend with a length capable of covering the tensile force applier 900 when pivoting to be in the state in parallel with the base 500.

[0139] In addition, even when the cover 600 is in the closed state, a portion of the laundry C may be exposed downwardly of the cover 600. In particular, when the laundry C is the pair of pants, and the lower end of the laundry is fixed to the fixing member 800 and the waist side thereof is fixed to the tensile force applier 900, and when the cover 600 is disposed in parallel with the base 500, the waist side of the laundry may be exposed downwardly of the cover 600.

[0140] However, this may vary depending on a type of the laundry C or a length of the laundry C, and even when the cover 600 pivots to be in the closed state in the state in which the laundry is placed on the press module P, the laundry may not be exposed downwardly of the cover 600 under a specific condition.

[0141] That is, the press module and the laundry illustrated in FIG. 5 are merely an embodiment of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that, depending on the type and size of the laundry to be used, a press module in a range obvious to a person skilled in the art is included.

[0142] FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state in which the cover 600 faces the support 700. That is, FIG. 6 may be viewed as an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state of (a) in FIG. 5 disassembled.

[0144] On the other hand, FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state in which the cover 600 has pivoted in the direction away from the support 700. That is, FIG. 7 may be viewed as an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state of (b) in FIG. 5 disassembled.

[0145] In other words, it may be understood that FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state in which the cover 600 is closed, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the press module P in the state in which the cover 600 is open.

[0146] FIGS. 6 and 7 are the exploded perspective views of the same press module P, and thus a detailed configuration of the press module P according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 at the same time.

[0147] As described above, the press module P according to the present disclosure may include the base 500, the cover 600, the support 700, and the fixing member 800.

[0148] In the state in which the press module P presses the laundry, that is, in the state in which the cover 600 is closed, the cover 600, the support 700, and the base 500 may be arranged in order. The base 500 provides a support surface 520a for supporting the laundry. The support surface may be formed on the inner surface of the door. The support surface may be formed by surface-treating the door inner surface 410.

[0149] In an embodiment, the base 500 may include a base plate 520 supporting the laundry. The base plate 520 provides the support surface 520a. In addition, the base 500 may include a base body 510 providing a space where the base plate 520 is installed.

[0150] The base 500 may be coupled to a vertical wall or a fixed wall surface. The base 500 may be coupled to the door inner surface or the inner wall of the inner casing. The base 500 may serve to support the entire press module P. The base body 510 may support the entire press module P. The base body 510 may be fixed to the vertical wall when the press module P is used alone. In addition, when the press module P is equipped as a component of the laundry treating apparatus, the base body 510 may be fixed to the inner wall of the inner casing 200 or the door inner surface 410. A detailed structure in which the base body 510 is fixed will be described later. Hereinafter, the vertical wall, the inner wall of the inner casing 200, and the door inner surface 410 described above may be referred to as a press module installation surface.

[0151] The base plate 520 may be coupled to the base body 510. That is, the base plate 520 may be fixed to a surface of both surfaces of the base body 510 located away from the press module installation surface.

[0152] In particular, the base plate 520 may include a base fixing portion 521 fixed to the base body 510 and base extensions 522 respectively extending left and right from the base fixing portion 521 and spaced apart from the base body 510. A front surface of the base extension 522 functions as the support surface 520a.

[0153] That is, the base fixing portion 521 may fix and support the entire base plate 520 to and on the base body 510.

[0154] The base extension 522 may be disposed farther from the base body 510 than the base fixing portion 521. The base extension 522 may be formed by being bent from the base fixing portion 521. The base fixing portion 521 and the base extension 522 may be integrally formed. However, the base fixing portion 521 and the base extension 522 may be connected to each other in a stepped manner.

[0155] The base extensions 522 may be disposed on left and right sides of the base fixing portion 521, respectively. The base extensions 522 may extend from left and right sides of the base fixing portion 521, respectively.

[0156] The base plate 520 may be made of a material such as synthetic resin. That is, the base plate 520 may be elastically deformable within a physical property range. In particular, the base extension 522 may be movable by a predetermined distance when an external force is applied thereto. When the laundry is pressed by the press module P, the base extension 522 may be moved toward the base body 510. In this regard, an elastic force based on a physical property of the base extension 522 may elastically press the laundry. The base extension 522 may apply the elastic force to the laundry to improve the pressing effect on the laundry.

[0157] As the base extension 522 and the base fixing portion 521 are formed to be stepped, the base plate 520 may be formed in a shape in which the base fixing portion 521 is recessed. Naturally, the base plate 520 may include a base receiving groove 523 defined at a center of the width direction.

[0158] The base receiving groove 523 may prevent a sewing line of the pants from being pressed. Generally, the sewing line of the pants is thicker than other portions. Therefore, a position of the pants may be changed by the sewing line when the pants are pressed. However, the base receiving groove 523 may separate the base plate 520 from the sewing line. Therefore, a reduction of the pressing effect on the laundry caused by pressing of the sewing line may be prevented.

[0159] In one example, the base 500 may further include a base elastic portion 530 disposed between the base body 510 and the base extension 522. The base elastic portion 530 may connect the base body 510 with the base extension 522. The base elastic portion 530 may elastically support the base extension 522. The base extension 522 may receive an elastic force in a direction away from the base body 510 by the base elastic portion 530.

[0160] When the laundry is pressed by the press module P, the base extension 522 may be moved toward the base body 510 by the cover 600. In this regard, the base elastic portion 530 may provide the elastic force to the base extension 522 in a direction closer to the cover 600. Accordingly, the base extension 522 may be further in close contact with the pressed laundry, and the pressing effect on the laundry may be improved.

[0161] In one example, the cover 600 may include a cover body 610 pivotably coupled to the base 500 and pressing the laundry. The cover body 610 may be pivotably connected to the base 500 via a cover hinge 650. When the cover 600 is in the closed state, the cover body 610 and the base 500 may be arranged to face each other. When the cover 600 is in the open state, the cover body 610 and the base 500 may be arranged in the up-down direction with respect to each other.

[0162] The cover hinge 650 may pivot the cover 600 along the axis in parallel with the width direction of the base 500. That is, the cover hinge 650 may pivot the cover body 610 along the axis in parallel with the width direction of the base 500. That is, the cover hinge 650 may pivot the cover 600 in the up-down direction.

[0163] The cover body 610 may be composed of an inner cover body 611 and an outer cover body 612. The inner cover body 611 may be disposed close to the base 500 when the cover 600 is in the closed state. The outer cover body 612 may be disposed far from the base 500 when the cover 600 is in the closed state. That is, the outer cover body 612 may form an outer appearance of the press module P.

[0164] In addition, the inner cover body 611 may provide a space in which the support 700 is installed. In addition, the inner cover body 611 may press the laundry together with the support 700.

[0165] A support surface 611a is formed on the inner cover body 611. The support surface 611a supports one surface of the laundry. An object supported by the support surface 611a may be the surface of the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800. In an embodiment, the support surface 611a supports a surface of the pants fixed to the fixing member 800. A recessed surface 611c may be defined in the inner cover body 611. The recessed surface 611c is recessed more inwardly of the cover 600 than the support surface 611a. A cover support body 750 is received in a space defined by the recessed surface 611c. In addition, the cover 600 may include the cover communication hole 620 extending through the cover body 610. The portion of the laundry disposed between the cover 600 and the base 500 may be exposed to the outside of the press module P through the cover communication hole 620. When the press module P is a component of the laundry treating apparatus, hot air or steam supplied to the laundry treatment space may be easily introduced into the press module P through the cover communication hole 620.

[0166] The cover communication hole 620 may include an inner cover communication hole 621 extending through the inner cover body 611 and an outer cover communication hole 622 extending through the outer cover body 612. The inner cover communication hole 621 and the outer cover communication hole 622 may be in communication with each other.

[0167] In one example, the fixing member 800 may be located on a side away from a point where the cover 600 is pivotably coupled, with respect to the cover communication hole 620.

[0168] Referring to FIG. 7, a lower portion of the cover 600 is pivotably coupled to the base 500. In this case, the fixing member 800 may be located on a side away from the lower portion of the cover 600 with respect to the cover communication hole 620, that is, above the cover communication hole 620.

[0169] The fixing member 800 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the pivoting shaft of the cover 600. A phenomenon in which the laundry is folded in half occurs near the pivoting shaft of the cover 600. In this regard, when the fixing member 800 is located far from the portion where the laundry is folded in half, the tensile force using the self-weight of the laundry may be increased. Therefore, because the laundry may be folded and pressed in a state in which the tensile force is being applied thereto, the pressing effect on the laundry may be improved.

[0170] In an embodiment, the fixing member 800 may be provided in a clip type. The fixing member 800 may be located at an upper side in the unfolded state of the cover 600. In an embodiment, the fixing member 800 may be a clip pivotable about the upper side. The user may lift a lower side of the fixing member 800 and insert the lower end of the pants into the fixing member 800 to fix the pants to the press module P.

[0171] In one example, the support 700 may include a base support body 760 facing the base 500 and a cover support body 750 facing the cover 600 in the state in which the laundry is being pressed.

[0172] As described above, the support 700 may include the first support plate 700a disposed at the left side of the cover 600 and the second support plate 700b disposed at the right side of the cover 600. In the present document, the description of the support 700 may be applied to each of the first support plate 700a and the second support plate 700b.

[0173] The first support plate 700a may be pivotably coupled to one side of the cover 600 in the width direction, and may be positioned between the cover 600 and the base 500 when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500. The one side of the cover 600 in the width direction may mean the left side of the cover when viewing the cover.

[0174] The second support plate 700b may be pivotably coupled to an opposite side of the cover 600 in the width direction, and may be positioned between the cover 600 and the base 500 when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500. The opposite side of the cover 600 in the width direction may mean the right side of the cover.

[0175] The description that the support 700 includes the base support body 760 and the cover support body 750 may be understood that the first support plate 700a includes the base support body 760 and the cover support body 750, and the second support plate 700b includes the base support body 760 and the cover support body 750, independently.

[0176] The base support body 760 may press the laundry together with the cover 600 and the base 500. The cover support body 750 may form a curved surface such that a folding line does not occur in the folded portion of the laundry when the laundry is folded in half. That is, the cover support body 750 may provide a support surface 701 formed as the curved surface.

[0177] However, a configuration of the support 700 of the present disclosure is not limited to the contents illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 or the above-described contents. The base support body 760 may provide the curved support surface 701, and the cover support body 750 may press the laundry together with the cover 600 and the base 500.

[0178] In particular, the support surface 701 may be positioned on one side where the cover 600 is pivotably coupled. That is, the support surface 701 may be disposed on one side located closer to the cover hinge 650 of both sides of the support 700 in the height direction.

[0179] In one example, the tensile force applier 900 according to the present disclosure may include the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b. The description of the tensile force applier 900 in the present document may be individually applied to each of the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b.

[0180] The first clip 900a and the second clip 900b may be coupled to the base 500. More specifically, the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b may be coupled to the base body 510. That is, the base plate 520 may be disposed between the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b.

[0181] The first clip 900a and the second clip 900b may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the base 500. Accordingly, the sewing line of the pants may be prevented from being pressed by the first clip 900a or the second clip 900b.

[0182] In addition, the base 500 may include a tensile force reinforcing portion 524 protruding from the base plate 520 toward the tensile portion 900. The tensile force reinforcing portion 524 may reduce a distance between the tensile force applier and the base plate 520 to more firmly fix the laundry.

[0183] The tensile force reinforcing portion 524 may protrude from the base extension 522 in a direction away from the base body 510. Accordingly, the tensile force reinforcing portion 524 may be disposed on each of left and right sides of the base fixing portion 521.

[0184] In one example, when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500, the fixing member 800 and the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed between the cover 600 and the base 500.

[0185] In other words, in the state in which the press module P presses the laundry, that is, when the cover 600 pivots to be in the closed state, the fixing member 800 and the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed between the cover 600 and the base 500.

[0186] That is, when the cover 600 pivots to be in the closed state, the base 500 and the cover 600 may form an outer appearance of the entire press module P.

[0187] In addition, when the cover 600 pivots and is disposed in parallel with the base 500, the fixing member 800 coupled to the cover 600 may be disposed to overlap the tensile force applier 900 in the width direction.

[0188] In other words, when the cover 600 is disposed in parallel with the base 500, the fixing member 800 may be disposed between the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b. At least a portion of the fixing member 800 may be disposed between the first clip 900a and the second clip 900b.

[0189] As described above, in the state in which the cover 600 pivots toward the base 500 and presses the laundry, the various components of the press module P may be compactly arranged. Therefore, efficiency of space utilization may be increased.

[0190] In one example, the press module P may further include a support coupling portion 702 that couples the support 700 with the cover 600 when the support 700 is disposed to face the cover 600.

[0191] The support coupling portion 702 may be disposed on each of the support 700 and the cover 600. In other words, the support coupling portion 702 may include a magnet or a metal member disposed on each of the support 700 and the cover 600.

[0192] For example, the support coupling portion 702 may include the magnet installed on the support 700 and the metal member installed on the cover 600. The support coupling portion 702 may couple the support 700 and the cover 600 to each other using magnetism of the magnet.

[0193] Because the support coupling portion 702 of the present disclosure couples the support 700 with the cover 600 using the magnetism, the coupling between the support 700 and the cover 600 may be maintained even when the laundry is disposed between the support 700 and the cover 600.

[0194] The support coupling portion 702 may be installed between the cover support body 750 and the base support body 760 and between the inner cover body 611 and the outer cover body 612 to be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the outer appearance of the press module P may be simplified.

[0195] However, the support coupling portion 702 may have various structures such as hook coupling, Velcro coupling, and the like, as well as the above-described structure.

[0196] However, when the support coupling portion 702 couples the support 700 and the cover 600 to each other using the magnetism of the magnet, when the laundry is positioned between the support 700 and the cover 600, there is an effect of fixing the position of the laundry. At the same time, there is an effect of pressing the laundry at a correct position.

[0197] In one example, the press module P may include a cover coupling portion 601 that couples the cover 600 with the base 500 when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500.

[0198] The cover coupling portion 601 may be disposed on each of the base 500 and the cover 600. In other words, the cover coupling portion 601 may include a magnet or a metal member disposed on each of the base 500 and the cover 600.

[0199] For example, the cover coupling portion 601 may include the magnet installed on the base 500 and the metal member installed on the cover 600. The cover coupling portion 601 may couple the base 500 and the cover 600 to each other using magnetism of the magnet.

[0200] Because the cover coupling portion 601 of the present disclosure couples the base 500 with the cover 600 using the magnetism, the coupling between the base 500 and the cover 600 may be maintained even when the laundry is disposed between the base 500 and the cover 600.

[0201] The cover coupling portion 601 may be installed on each of the base body 510, the inner cover body 611, and the outer cover body 612, and be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the outer appearance of the press module P may be simplified.

[0202] However, the cover coupling portion 601 may have various structures such as hook coupling, Velcro coupling, and the like, as well as the above-described structure.

[0203] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a support coupling portion of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 8, a state before the laundry is placed on the press module P is illustrated. More specifically, the state in which the cover 600 has pivoted in the direction away from the base 500 and the cover 600 is opened is illustrated. It may be seen that a state the same as that in (b) in FIG. 5 is illustrated.

[0205] The support 700 is disposed in parallel with the cover 600. That is, the support 700 is located in the closed state.

[0206] Referring to the drawing, the support 700 may include a pressing plate 710 pivotably coupled to the cover 600 and an extension plate 720 extending from the pressing plate 710. A description of the support 700 may be applied to each of the first support plate 700a and the second support plate 700b.

[0207] The extension plate 720 may extend in a direction away from a portion in which the pressing plate 710 is pivotably coupled. That is, the extension plate 720 may extend toward a center of the cover 600.

[0208] The extension plate 720 may provide a reference surface on which the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 is folded when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500. That is, in the drawing, the support surface 701 may be formed at a lower end of the extension plate 720.

[0209] The pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720 may be integrally formed, and lower portions of the pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720 may form one surface. The one surface formed at the lower portions of the pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720 may be defined as the support surface 701.

[0210] In addition, when the pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720 are disposed to face the cover 600, they may form one surface facing the cover 600. The one surface may press the laundry together with the cover 600.

[0211] The pressing plate 710 may press the laundry to emphasize the preset creases on the laundry. The laundry may be pressed between the pressing plate 710 and the base 500 and between the pressing plate 710 and the cover 600.

[0212] The pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720 may form an L-shape. When the support 700 is in the closed state, the extension plate 720 may be disposed under the cover communication hole 620. An extension plate of the first support plate 700a and an extension plate of the second support plate 700b may be disposed under the cover communication hole 620.

[0213] When the first support plate 700a and the second support plate 700b are disposed to face the cover 600, the extension plate 720 may be disposed to overlap the fixing member 800 in the height direction of the cover 600.

[0214] The fixing member 800 may be disposed on one side and the extension plate 720 may be disposed on the opposite side based on the height direction of the cover communication hole 620. The laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 may be folded in half by the support surface 701 disposed at the lower end of the extension plate 720 located farthest from the fixing member 800. The laundry fixed to the fixing member 800 may be folded in half on the support surface 701. In the state in which the tensile force is being applied to the laundry, the laundry may be folded in half by the support surface 701. Therefore, the position change in the process of folding the laundry may be prevented.

[0215] In one example, the support coupling portion 702 may be disposed on each of the support 700 and the cover 600. The support coupling portion 702 may include a first support coupling member 702a disposed on the cover 600 and a second support coupling member 702b disposed on the support 700.

[0216] At least one of the first support coupling member 702a and the second support coupling member 702b may be equipped as the magnet. In addition, the other of the first support coupling member 702a and the second support coupling member 702b may be made of the metal material that may be affected by a magnetic force.

[0217] Referring to the drawing, the magnetic force may act on the first support coupling member 702a and the second support coupling member 702b in a direction toward each other by the magnetism.

[0218] Accordingly, the support 700 may receive a force in a direction closer to the cover 600. Even when the laundry is disposed between the support 700 and the cover 600, when the magnetic force acts, the support 700 may receive the magnetic force in the direction closer to the cover 600.

[0219] That is, the support coupling portion 702 may allow the support 700 to maintain the closed state even in the state in which the laundry is disposed between the support 700 and the cover 600.

[0220] The first support coupling member 702a may be disposed between the inner cover body 611 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and the outer cover body 612 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0221] In addition, the second support coupling member 702b may be disposed between the cover support body 750 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and the base support body 760 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0222] Accordingly, the first support coupling member 702a and the second support coupling member 702b are not exposed to the outside, so that outer appearances of the support 700 and the cover 600 may be simplified.

[0223] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a cover coupling portion of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0224] FIG. 9 illustrates the state in which the press module P is closed. That is, FIG. 9 illustrates that the cover 600 is located to be in the closed state. FIG. 9 illustrates a state the same as that in (a) in FIG. 5.

[0225] Referring to the cross-sectional perspective view illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover coupling portion 601 may include a first cover coupling member 601a disposed in the cover 600 and a second cover coupling member 601b disposed on the base 500.

[0226] At least one of the first cover coupling member 601a and the second cover coupling member 601b may be equipped as the magnet. In addition, the other of the first cover coupling member 601a and the second cover coupling member 601b may be made of the metal material that may be affected by the magnetic force.

[0227] As the cover 600 pivots toward the base 500, a distance between the first cover coupling member 601a and the second cover coupling member 601b may gradually decrease. When the distance becomes smaller than a predetermined distance, the magnetic force may act in a direction in which the first cover coupling member 601a and the second cover coupling member 601b become closer to each other.

[0228] Accordingly, the cover 600 and the base 500 may remain coupled to each other by the magnetic force.

[0229] When the laundry is pressed using the press module P, the laundry folded in half may be positioned between the cover 600 and the base 500. That is, because of a thickness of the laundry, the cover 600 and the base 500 may be spaced apart from each other by the thickness of the laundry.

[0230] In this regard, the cover coupling portion 601 should maintain a coupling force such that the distance between the cover 600 and the base 500 does not become greater than a distance preset for the laundry. The preset distance may mean a maximum distance capable of applying a compressive force to the laundry.

[0231] That is, the cover coupling portion 601 may be designed to have the coupling force for maintaining the distance between the cover 600 and the base 500.

[0232] The first cover coupling member 601a may be installed inside the cover 600. The first cover coupling member 601a may be disposed between the inner cover body 611 and the outer cover body 612. In particular, the inner cover body 611 may include a member fixing portion 613 in which the first cover coupling member 601a is installed.

[0233] The member fixing portion 613 may be formed in a hook shape and be elastically deformable. Accordingly, the first cover coupling member 601a may be easily seated in the member fixing portion 613.

[0234] In addition, the second cover coupling member 601b may be installed on the base body 510. In particular, the second cover coupling member 601b may be disposed on a rear surface of the base body 510. That is, the second cover coupling member 601b may be installed on one surface of both surfaces of the base body 510 located on a side away from the cover 600.

[0235] Accordingly, the first cover coupling member 601a and the second cover coupling member 601b may be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, the entire cover coupling portion 601 may not be exposed to the outside. Because the coupling structure is not exposed to the outside, the outer appearance of the entire press module P may be simplified. In addition, as the coupling portion is embedded, the coupling portion may be prevented from being damaged by an external factor. That is, reliability of the coupling may be improved.

[0236] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detachable structure of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0237] As described above, the press module P may be detachable from the laundry treating apparatus. In particular, it may be detachably from the inner wall of the inner casing 200 (see FIG. 3) or the door inner surface 410.

[0238] FIG. 10 illustrates that the press module P is coupled to the door inner surface 410. However, the detachable structure of the press module of the present disclosure is not limited to that illustrated in the drawing. A description of the door inner surface 410 below may be equally applied to the inner wall of the inner casing.

[0239] The door 400 may include a door guide 411 recessed in the door inner surface 410. In addition, the door 400 may include a base coupling groove 412 recessed in the door inner surface 410. The door guide 411 and the base coupling groove 412 may assist in installing the press module P or support the press module P.

[0240] In one example, the press module P may include a base coupling protrusion 513 protruding from the base body 510. The base coupling protrusion 513 may be inserted into and supported by the base coupling groove 412.

[0241] In addition, the press module P may further include a body guide 512 protruding from the base body 510. The body guide 512 may protrude from one surface of the base body 510 facing the door inner surface 410. The one surface of the base body 510 may be defined as a body surface 511.

[0242] That is, the body guide 512 and the base coupling protrusion 513 may protrude from the body surface 511.

[0243] The body guide 512 may be inserted into the door guide 411. The body guide 512 may perform a function of guiding a coupling position of the base coupling protrusion 513 and the base coupling groove 412.

[0244] The body guide 512 and the base coupling protrusion 513 may include a plurality of body guides and a plurality of base coupling protrusions, respectively. In addition, the door guide 411 and the base coupling groove 412 may be defined to correspond to the body guide 512 and the base coupling protrusion 513, respectively.

[0245] The base coupling protrusion 513 may be formed in a hook shape to be caught and supported by the base coupling groove 412. Accordingly, the base body 510 may be detachably coupled to the door inner surface 410.

[0246] In addition, the base body 510 may support the entire press module. Accordingly, the entire press module P may be detachably coupled to the door inner surface 410.

[0247] However, the detachable structure of the press module P is not limited to the above-described coupling structure. For example, a male-female relationship for the coupling may be configured in reverse. Specifically, in the drawing, it is illustrated that the base coupling protrusion 513 protrudes from the press module, and the base coupling groove 412 is recessed from the door inner surface. However, on the contrary, the base coupling groove 412 may be recessed in the press module, and the base coupling protrusion 513 may protrude from the door inner surface.

[0248] FIG. 11 illustrates a coupling structure of a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0249] Referring to FIG. 11, the base 500 may include a body hole 514 defined in the base body 510 and coupled to at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing 200 and the door inner surface 410.

[0250] The body hole 514 may extend through a periphery of the base body 510. That is, the body hole 514 may be defined to allow a coupling member such as a bolt to pass therethrough. In particular, the body hole 514 may be defined to be spaced apart from the base plate 520 in the width direction.

[0251] The body hole 514 may be defined at four corners of the base body 510. Accordingly, when the base body 510 is attached or detached, a coupling force may be improved while preventing interference with the base plate 520.

[0252] The coupling member that has passed through the body hole 514 may extend to the door inner surface 410 and couple the base body 510 with the door inner surface 410. The press module P may be more firmly fixed to the door inner surface 410 by the above coupling structure.

[0253] In one example, the base 500 may further include a body shielding portion 515 preventing the body hole 514 from being exposed to the outside in a state in which the base body 510 is coupled to at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing 200 and the door inner surface 410.

[0254] The body shielding portion 515 may be made of a material such as rubber and shield the body hole 514. In a state in which the base body 510 is completely coupled to the door inner surface 410 or the like, the body shielding portion 515 may prevent the body hole 514 and the coupling member coupled thereto from being exposed to the outside.

[0255] The body shielding portion 515 prevents the unnecessary exposure of the coupling member or the like, thereby improving overall finish quality. In addition, a decrease in stability of the coupling resulted from the exposure of the coupling member or the like may be prevented. The base plate 520 may be positioned between a plurality of body shielding portions 515.

[0256] In addition, the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed at a lower portion of the base plate 520. The tensile force applier 900 may be disposed at each of left and right sides of the base plate 520. The tensile force applier 900 may include the first clip 900a disposed at the left side of the base plate 520 and the second clip 900b disposed at the right side thereof.

[0257] The tensile force applier 900 may be coupled to the base body 510. The tensile force applier 900 may be coupled to a portion close to left and right corners of the base body 510. Accordingly, at least a portion of the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed to overlap the body hole 514 in the height direction of the base 500.

[0258] FIG. 12 illustrates a structure of a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0259] Referring to FIG. 12, the fixing member 800 and the cover 600 on which the fixing member is installed are illustrated. Specifically, a cross-section of a central side of the fixing member 800 in the width direction and a cross-section of a portion deviated from the center are illustrated together.

[0260] The fixing member 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed at a center of the cover 600 in the width direction. The cover 600 may include a cover seating portion 640 providing a space in which the fixing member 800 is installed. The cover seating portion 640 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the cover communication hole 620 in the height direction of the cover 600.

[0261] That is, the fixing member 800 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the cover communication hole 620 in the height direction of the cover 600.

[0262] The fixing member 800 may include a fixing member 810 that is formed in a clip shape and comes into contact with the laundry and an elastic member 830 providing a pivoting elastic force to the fixing member 810. The elastic member 830 may be equipped as a torsion spring and provide the elastic force such that the fixing member 810 fixes the laundry.

[0263] In an embodiment, a pressing fixing surface 802 is formed in the fixing member 800. The pressing fixing surface 802 is formed to be in closer contact with the cover 600 than other portions. In an embodiment, the pressing fixing surface 802 protrudes toward the cover 600 more than other portions. An end 801 of the fixing member 800 may be bent to protrude outwards. The end of the fixing member 800 may function as a handle for separating the pressing fixing surface 802 of the fixing member 800 and the cover 600 from each other.

[0264] In one example, the fixing member 800 may include a friction member 820 disposed on the cover 600 and preventing the fixed laundry from slipping. The friction member 820 may be inserted into the cover seating portion 640 such that a portion thereof is exposed to the outside. An exposed end of the friction member 820 may protrude more than the cover seating portion 640 around the friction member 820.

[0265] The friction member 820 may be made of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as rubber. Accordingly, a force of fixing the laundry may be improved.

[0266] The fixing member 810 and the friction member 820 may be disposed to face each other. In particular, one of both ends of the fixing member 810, which is detachable from the cover 600, may be disposed to face the friction member 820. Accordingly, the laundry fixed to the fixing member 810 may be more firmly fixed.

[0267] In one example, one side of the cover 600 may be pivotably coupled to the base 500. In this regard, the cover 600 may include a cover recessed portion 630 in which one surface thereof facing the tensile force applier 900 is recessed when the cover 600 is disposed to face the base 500.

[0268] The cover recessed portion 630 may be defined at the opposite side of the cover 600. That is, the cover recessed portion 630 may be defined at a side opposite to one side where the cover 600 is pivotably coupled. The cover recessed portion 630 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the fixing member 800.

[0269] The cover recessed portion 630 may prevent the cover 600 from interfering with the tensile force applier 900 when the cover 600 is in the closed state. That is, when the cover 600 is in the closed state, at least a portion of the tensile force applier 900 may be received in the cover recessed portion 630.

[0270] In one example, referring to FIG. 12, the fixing member 800 may be positioned closer to the one side of the cover 600 than to the cover recessed portion 630. Here, the one side of the cover 600 may mean the portion where the cover 600 is pivotably coupled. That is, a portion located far from the cover pivoting axis 660 based on the height direction of the cover 600 may be referred to as the one side of the cover 600, and a portion located close to the cover pivoting axis 660 may be referred to as the opposite side of the cover 600.

[0271] That is, the fixing member 800 may be positioned closer to the cover pivoting axis 660 than to the cover recessed portion 630. More specifically, one end of both ends of the fixing member 800, which is close to the cover pivoting axis 660, may be disposed closer to the cover pivoting axis 660 than to the cover recessed portion 630.

[0272] In one example, a position of the fixing member 800 may be changed along the height direction of the cover 600. That is, the cover 600 may be moved to a position close to the cover pivoting axis 660 or a position away from the cover pivoting axis 660.

[0273] The user may change the position of the fixing member 800 based on the length of the laundry to be fixed to the fixing member 800. When the length of the laundry is smaller than a reference length, the fixing member 800 may be moved in a direction closer to the cover pivoting axis 660. Conversely, when the length of the laundry is greater than the reference length, the fixing member 800 may be moved in a direction away from the cover pivoting axis 660.

[0274] Various schemes may be applied as a scheme of changing the position of the fixing member 800. For example, a plurality of fixing slots spaced apart from each other in the height direction may be defined in the cover seating portion 640 to which the fixing member 800 is coupled, and a vertical level of the fixing member 800 may be adjusted by selecting a fixing slot in which the fixing member 800 is installed.

[0275] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a central side when a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state. Specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section of the cover communication hole 620 cut in the height direction.

[0276] Referring to FIG. 13, when the cover 600 is in the closed state, the cover 600, the support 700, and the base 500 may be arranged in order from an outer side of the press module P.

[0277] A portion of the fixing member 800 may be received in the base receiving groove 523. That is, the base receiving groove 523 may be defined to have a depth at which the fixing member 800 and the base plate 520 do not interfere with each other when the cover 600 is in the closed state.

[0278] In addition, referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, it is illustrated that the tensile force applier 900 is exposed beyond the cross-section of the fixing member 800. In the cross-section, the first clip 900a may be exposed rearwardly of the fixing member 800.

[0279] That is, at least a portion of the fixing member 800 may be disposed to overlap the tensile force applier 900 in the width direction of the base 500.

[0280] In addition, referring to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 13, a portion of the base extension 522 is exposed beyond the base receiving groove 523. It may be understood that a side surface of the base extension 522 is exposed.

[0281] In addition, in the state in which the cover 600 is closed, the cover communication hole 620 may be disposed in parallel with the base receiving groove 523. A center of the cover communication hole 620 in the width direction and a center of the base receiving groove 523 in the width direction may coincide with each other.

[0282] In addition, in the state in which the cover 600 is closed, the cover communication hole 620 may be disposed in parallel with the base fixing portion 521. A center of the base fixing portion 521 in the width direction may be disposed to coincide with the center of the cover communication hole 620 in the width direction.

[0283] In addition, the support 700 may be disposed between the cover 600 and the base 500. However, when the cover 600 is located to be in the closed state, the support 700 may be prevented from being exposed to the outside. That is, the support 700 may be disposed so as not to overlap the cover communication hole 620. The support 700 may be disposed outward of a periphery of the cover communication hole 620.

[0284] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an outer side when a press module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state.

[0285] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion spaced apart from the cover communication hole in the width direction. Specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of the first support plate 700a cut in the height direction of the base 500.

[0286] Referring to FIG. 14, at least a portion of the tensile force applier 900 is received in the cover recessed portion 630. That is, the tensile force applier 900 may be disposed between the cover recessed portion 630 and the base 500.

[0287] In addition, the support 700 may include a support base surface 703 and a support cover surface 704. The support base surface 703 may refer to a surface facing the base 500 of both surfaces of the support 700. In addition, the support cover surface 704 may refer to a surface facing the cover 600 of both surfaces of the support 700.

[0288] That is, the support cover surface 704 and the support base surface 703 may form both surfaces of the support 700 and press the laundry.

[0289] Specifically, the support base surface 703 may press the one side of the laundry together with the base 500. In particular, the support base surface 703 may press the one side of the laundry together with the base plate 520. The support base surface 703 may press the laundry together with the base extension 522.

[0290] When the laundry is the pair of pants, the support base surface 703 may press the waist side or the lower end based on the surface on which the laundry is folded. In one example, the support base surface 703 may press various portions of the laundry depending on a type of the laundry fixed to the fixing member 800.

[0291] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a vicinity of a support surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0292] A cross-section illustrated in FIG. 15 illustrates an upper portion of the press module in the pressurized state.

[0293] The support 700 may have a thickness L3 of one side where the support surface 701 is disposed greater than a thickness L4 of the opposite side with respect to the height direction of the support 700.

[0294] That is, the support 700 may be constructed such that a thickness thereof decreases as a distance from the support surface 701 on which the laundry is folded increases. The thickness of the support 700 may mean a length in a direction in which the laundry is pressed.

[0295] In addition, the support surface 701 may have a predetermined curvature R1. The laundry may be supported and folded on the support surface 701. In this regard, when the support surface 701 has the predetermined curvature R1, the occurrence of the folding line along the folding direction of the laundry may be prevented.

[0296] The predetermined curvature R1 may be a curvature with which a folding mark does not occur along the support surface when the laundry is placed on a plane having the corresponding curvature.

[0297] In one example, the cover 600 facing the support 700 may be constructed such that a thickness thereof is changed based on the change in the thickness of the support 700. The cover 600 may be constructed such that the thickness thereof increases in a direction away from the support surface 701.

[0298] In other words, a thickness L1 of the cover 600 at a portion close to the support surface 701 may be smaller than a thickness L2 of the cover 600 at a portion located far from the support surface 701.

[0299] That is, the cover 600 may have a thickness change corresponding to the thickness change of the support 700. Accordingly, when the support 700 is disposed to face the cover 600, an outer surface of the cover 600 and an inner surface of the support 700 may be arranged in parallel with each other. That is, the outer surface of the cover 600 and one surface of the both surfaces of the support 700 facing the base 500 may be arranged in parallel with each other.

[0300] In one example, the support base surface 703 may be in contact with the base extension 522. The base extension 522 may receive a force applied in the direction of the cover 600 by the base elastic portion 530. The force applied by the base elastic portion 530 may be transmitted to the cover 600 through the support 700.

[0301] That is, the laundry supported on the support base surface 703 and the support cover surface 704 may be pressed by the force applied from the base elastic portion 530. Accordingly, the wrinkles of the laundry may be removed. In addition, preset wrinkles may be removed from the laundry.

[0302] In one example, when the support 700 is disposed to face the cover 600, the support surface 701 may be disposed in parallel with the width direction of the base 500. That is, when the cover 600 is in the closed state, the support surface 701 may be disposed in parallel with the ground.

[0303] FIG. 16 illustrates a cover hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0304] Referring to FIG. 16, the cover hinge 650 may connect the cover 600 with the base 500. In particular, the cover hinge 650 may pivotably couple the cover 600 to the base 500. In detail, the cover hinge 650 may connect the cover body 610 to the base body 510.

[0305] The cover hinge 650 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the base plate 520.

[0306] The cover hinge 650 may include a first hinge body 651 fixed to the cover 600 and a second hinge body 652 fixed to the base 500. The cover hinge 650 may include a cover hinge shaft 653 pivotably connecting the first hinge body 651 to the second hinge body 652. The cover pivoting axis 660 may mean an imaginary line disposed in parallel with the cover hinge shaft 653.

[0307] In addition, the cover hinge 650 may further include a cover hinge coupling member 654 that couples the cover hinge shaft 653 with the first hinge body 651 and the second hinge body 652.

[0308] Because the cover hinge 6520 is constructed as described above, the cover 600 may pivot up and down with respect to the base 500.

[0309] In one example, the cover hinge 650 may be installed inside the cover 600 and the base 500 so as to be prevented from being exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the outer appearance of the entire press module P may be simplified. In addition, there is an effect of preventing damage resulted from an exposure of the cover hinge 650 to the outside.

[0310] In addition, the cover hinge 650 may be disposed at each of both sides of the cover body 610. Accordingly, the pivoting of the cover 600 may be more stably supported.

[0311] FIG. 17 illustrates a support hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0312] Referring to FIG. 17, the support 700 may be pivotably coupled to the cover 600. The support 700 may include the pressing plate 710 that presses the laundry and a support hinge 780 extending from the pressing plate 710 and coupled to the cover 600.

[0313] The support hinge 780 may be integrally formed with the pressing plate 710. That is, the support hinge 780 may constitute a portion of the support 700 that is integrally formed.

[0314] The support hinge 780 may include a first support protrusion 781 disposed at one side of the support hinge 780 and a second support protrusion 782 disposed at an opposite side of the support hinge 780. The first support protrusion 781 and the second support protrusion 782 may be inserted into the cover 600 and support the support 700.

[0315] The one side of the support hinge 780 may refer to a portion located far from the cover hinge 650 of both sides in the height direction of the support 700. In addition, the opposite side of the support hinge 780 may refer to a portion located close to the cover hinge 650 of both sides in the height direction of the support 700.

[0316] The first support protrusion 781 and the second support protrusion 782 may be inserted into a groove recessed at one side of the cover. In addition, the first support protrusion 781 and the second support protrusion 782 may be pivotably supported in the groove. For example, the second support protrusion 782 may be inserted into and supported in a support pivoting groove 783 recessed in the cover body 610.

[0317] Accordingly, the support 700 may pivot about the first support protrusion 781 and the second support protrusion 782. A virtual line connecting the first support protrusion 781 with the second support protrusion 782 may be defined as the support pivoting axis 770.

[0318] The description of the support 700 made above may be equally applied to each of the first support plate 700a and the second support plate 700b.

[0319] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an inner side and a cross-section of a support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0320] A perspective view illustrated in FIG. 18 illustrates the inner side of the support 700. The inner side of the support 700 may refer to one surface of the support 700 facing the cover 600.

[0321] The support 700 may include the pressing plate 710 that presses the laundry and the extension plate 720 extending from the pressing plate 710 toward the center of the press module P in the width direction.

[0322] The extension plate 720 of the support 700 may include an extension plate groove 721 defined to be recessed in the extension plate 720. The extension plate groove 721 may be recessed in a direction in a direction away from the cover 600 in the state in which the support 700 is closed. That is, the support cover surface 704 may be recessed to define the extension plate groove 721.

[0323] When the support 700 moves to be in the closed state and presses the laundry, a thick portion like the sewing line of the pants may be received in the extension plate groove 721. That is, the extension plate groove 721 may prevent the position of the laundry pressed by the support 700 from changing as the sewing line is pressed.

[0324] As described above, the extension plate groove 721 may be defined by recessing only a portion of the extension plate 720, but may not be limited thereto. A portion of the pressing plate 710 may also be recessed to define the extension plate groove 721 together with the extension plate 720.

[0325] In other words, the support cover surface 704 may refer to one surface formed by the pressing plate 710 and the extension plate 720. In addition, the extension plate groove 721 may be defined by recessing a portion of the support cover surface 704.

[0326] As the extension plate groove 721 is defined, the pressing of the sewing line of the laundry may also be avoided. In addition, when the support 700 is in the closed state, the extension plate groove 721 may separate the support 700 from the cover 600.

[0327] Accordingly, the user may open the support 700 by inserting a finger into the extension plate groove 721. Accordingly, there is an effect of improving convenience of opening and closing the support 700.

[0328] The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, so that the scope of the rights thereof is not limited by the above-described embodiments. Therefore, when the modified embodiment includes components of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.<Reference numerals>

[0329] 1: laundry treating apparatus 100: cabinet 200: inner casing 300: machine room 400: door P: press module 500: base 510: base body 520: base plate 530: base elastic portion 600: cover 610: cover body 620: cover communication hole 630: cover recessed portion 640: cover seating portion 650: cover hinge 660: cover pivoting axis 670: cover support 700: support 701: support surface 703: support base surface 704: support cover surface 710: pressing plate 720: extension plate 800: fixing member 900: tensile force applier

Claims

1. A press module comprising: a base where laundry is supported; a cover pivotable in an up-down direction with respect to the base and configured to press the laundry; a fixing member disposed on the cover and configured to fix one side of the laundry; and a support coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable in a left-right direction and configured to support the laundry fixed to the fixing member.

2. The press module of claim 1, wherein one side of the cover is pivotably coupled to the base, wherein the fixing member is located on a side away from the one side of the cover.

3. The press module of claim 2, wherein the cover includes: a cover body pivotably coupled to the base and configured to press the laundry; and a cover communication hole extending through the cover body, wherein the fixing member is located on the side away from the one side of the cover with respect to the cover communication hole.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tensile force applier disposed at a lower portion of the base and configured to fix the laundry, wherein the tensile force applier is configured to fix an opposite side of the laundry with the one side fixed to the fixing member.

5. The press module of claim 4, wherein when the cover is disposed to face the base, the fixing member and the tensile force applier are disposed between the cover and the base.

6. The press module of claim 4, wherein the tensile force applier includes a first clip disposed at a left side of the base and a second clip disposed at a right side of the base and spaced apart from the first clip, wherein when the cover is disposed to face the base, at least a portion of the fixing member is disposed between the first clip and the second clip.

7. The press module of claim 4, wherein one side of the cover is pivotably coupled to the base, wherein the cover includes a cover recessed portion where one surface thereof facing the tensile force applier when the cover is disposed to face the base is recessed, wherein the fixing member is positioned closer to the one side of the cover than to the cover recessed portion.

8. The press module of claim 2, wherein a position of the fixing member is changeable along a height direction of the cover.

9. The press module of claim 1, wherein the support is coupled to the cover so as to be pivotable in the left-right direction.

10. The press module of claim 9, wherein the support includes: a first support plate pivotably coupled to one side of the cover in a width direction, and positioned between the cover and the base when the cover is disposed to face the base; and a second support plate pivotably coupled to an opposite side of the cover in the width direction, and positioned between the cover and the base when the cover is disposed to face the base.

11. The press module of claim 10, wherein each of the first support plate and the second support plate includes: a pressing plate pivotably coupled to the cover; and an extension plate extending from the pressing plate and providing a reference surface where the laundry fixed to the fixing member is folded when the cover is disposed to face the base.

12. The press module of claim 11, wherein the pressing plate and the extension plate form one surface facing the cover when disposed to face the cover.

13. The press module of claim 11, wherein when the first support plate and the second support plate are disposed to face the cover, the respective extension plates thereof are disposed to overlap the fixing member in a height direction of the cover.

14. The press module of claim 11, wherein each of the first support plate and the second support plate further includes an extension plate groove defined in the extension plate to be recessed in a direction away from the cover.

15. The press module of claim 9, wherein the support includes a support surface located at one side of the cover where the cover is pivotably coupled and having a predetermined curvature.

16. The press module of claim 15, wherein a thickness of one side of the support where the support surface is disposed is greater than a thickness of an opposite side thereof based on a height direction of the support.

17. The press module of claim 9, further comprising a support coupling portion configured to couple the support to the cover when the support is disposed to face the cover.

18. The press module of claim 17, wherein the support coupling portion is configured to couple the support to the cover using magnetism.

19. The press module of claim 1, wherein the base includes: a base plate configured to support the laundry; and a base body providing a space where the base plate is installed.

20. The press module of claim 19, wherein the base plate includes: a base fixing portion fixed to the base body; and base extensions extending left and right from the base fixing portion, respectively, and spaced apart from the base body.

21. The press module of claim 20, wherein the base includes a base elastic portion disposed between the base body and the base extension and configured to apply an elastic force to the base extension.

22. The press module of claim 21, further comprising a cover coupling portion configured to couple the cover to the base when the cover is disposed to face the base.

23. The press module of claim 22, wherein the cover coupling portion is configured to couple the cover to the base using magnetism.

24. A press module comprising: a base where laundry is supported; a cover pivotable with respect to the base about a cover pivoting axis directed in parallel with a width direction of the base and configured to press the laundry; a fixing member disposed on the cover and configured to fix one side of the laundry; and a support coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable and configured to pivot about a support pivoting axis directed in parallel with a height direction of one of the base and the cover.

25. The press module of claim 24, wherein the cover pivoting axis is defined at a top of the base.

26. The press module of claim 25, wherein extension lines of the cover pivoting axis and the support pivoting axis cross each other.

27. The press module of claim 25, wherein the fixing member is positioned at a side of the cover away from the cover pivoting axis.

28. The press module of claim 25, further comprising a tensile force applier disposed on the base and configured to fix an opposite side of the laundry with the one side fixed to the fixing member, wherein the tensile force applier is located on a side away from the cover pivoting axis.

29. A press module comprising: a base where laundry is supported; a cover disposed on the base so as to be pivotable in an up-down direction and configured to press the laundry; a fixing member disposed on one surface of the cover and configured to fix one side of the laundry; and a support coupled to the cover so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis in parallel with a height direction of the cover, wherein the support provides a support surface where the laundry fixed to the fixing member is supported and folded when the cover pivots to be close to the base.

30. The press module of claim 29, wherein when the support is disposed to face the cover, the support surface is disposed in parallel with a width direction of the base.

31. The press module of claim 30, wherein the support includes: a support cover surface facing the cover when the cover is disposed to face the base; and a support base surface facing the base when the cover is disposed to face the base, wherein when the cover is disposed to face the base, the support cover surface and the support base surface press the laundry.

32. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet; an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet, providing a laundry treatment space where laundry is received, and having a laundry inlet defined at a front side thereof to allow the laundry to enter and exit therethrough; a machine room defined to be in communication with the inner casing and configured to supply at least one of moisture and air to the laundry treatment space; a door pivotably coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close the laundry inlet; and a press module disposed on at least one of an inner wall of the inner casing and an inner surface of the door and configured to press the laundry, wherein the press module includes: a base disposed on the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door and configured to support the laundry; a cover pivotable in an up-down direction with respect to the base and configured to press the laundry; a fixing member disposed on the cover and configured to fix one side of the laundry; and a support coupled to one of the base and the cover so as to be pivotable in a left-right direction and configured to support the laundry fixed to the fixing member.

33. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 32, wherein the base includes: a base body detachably coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door; and a base plate disposed on the base body and configured to support the laundry.

34. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 33, further comprising: a base coupling protrusion formed to protrude from one of the inner surface of the door and the base body; and a base coupling recess recessed from the other one of the inner surface of the door and the base body.

35. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 33, wherein the base includes: a body hole defined in the base body and coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door; and a body shielding portion preventing the body hole from being exposed to the outside while the base body is coupled to the at least one of the inner wall of the inner casing and the inner surface of the door.

Images